Information provision device, information provision method, and program

Abstract

To provide technology to prevent accidents of collisions when wheelchair users cross railroad crossings.SOLUTION: An information provision device includes: acquisition means for acquiring speed information of a wheelchair approaching a railroad crossing barrier; calculation means for calculating the crossing time of the wheelchair at the railroad crossing based on the speed information and the crossing distance; and output means for outputting information regarding whether or not the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing based on the crossing time and the time until the railroad crossing is blocked by the railroad crossing barrier.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information providing device, an information providing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Collisions between trains and pedestrians at railroad crossings can cause serious damage to both the railway operator and the pedestrians. For this reason, there are various technologies to prevent collisions at railroad crossings.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a driving assistance system that assists driving so that a vehicle can pass through a railroad crossing appropriately. In Patent Document 1, the driving assistance system uses information related to the open / closed state of the railroad crossing, the traffic conditions on the road beyond the crossing, the moving speed of the vehicle ahead, and the moving speed of the vehicle itself to determine whether or not the vehicle can pass through the crossing from its current position, and creates guidance information according to the determination result and outputs it to a display or speaker. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-004214 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Among pedestrians crossing railroad crossings, wheelchair users are at a high risk of collision when crossing railroad crossings due to factors such as the large size of their wheelchairs, their slower speed than the average walking speed, and the possibility of their wheels getting stuck in the grooves of the tracks. Therefore, there is a need to prevent collision accidents involving wheelchairs at railroad crossings.

[0006] One example of an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for preventing collision accidents when wheelchair users cross railroad crossings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information providing device in one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition means for acquiring speed information of a wheelchair approaching a crossing barrier at a railroad crossing, a calculation means for calculating the crossing time of the wheelchair at the crossing based on the speed information and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing, and an output means for outputting information regarding whether or not the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing based on the crossing time and the time until the crossing is blocked by the barrier.

[0008] An information provision method in one aspect of the present disclosure obtains speed information of a wheelchair approaching a railroad crossing barrier, calculates the time it takes for the wheelchair to cross the railroad crossing based on the speed information and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing, and outputs information regarding whether the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing based on the crossing time and the time until the crossing is blocked by the barrier.

[0009] A program in one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to perform processing to acquire speed information of a wheelchair approaching a railroad crossing barrier, calculate the time it takes for the wheelchair to cross the railroad crossing based on the speed information and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing, and output information regarding whether the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing based on the crossing time and the time until the crossing is blocked by the barrier.

[0010] Each program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] One example of the effect of the present disclosure is that it can provide technology that prevents collision accidents when wheelchair users cross railroad crossings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system including an information providing device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information providing device. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of correction values ​​according to traffic volume. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a wheelchair travel route. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a wheelchair travel route. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an output screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an output screen. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing device. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration for realizing an information providing device according to the present disclosure using a computer and its peripheral devices. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system including an information providing device according to the present disclosure.

[0015] In FIG. 1, an information providing device 100 is a device that outputs information to support wheelchair users in crossing railroad crossings in order to prevent collision accidents at railroad crossings.

[0016] In this disclosure, a railroad crossing is a location where railroad tracks on which trains travel and roads on which vehicles such as automobiles and pedestrians travel intersect on the same plane. In addition, in this disclosure, it is assumed that a crossing gate is provided at the railroad crossing. The crossing gate blocks traffic on the road at the crossing when a train passes over the tracks. The crossing gate's blocking operation is controlled, for example, by a control device provided within the crossing gate or a control server provided outside the crossing gate. In the following description, the crossing gate control device or crossing gate control server will be referred to as a crossing gate control device.

[0017] In Fig. 1, the information providing device 100 is communicably connected to the above-mentioned crossing gate control device and the wheelchair terminal device. The information providing device 100 may also be communicably connected to a camera that captures images of the area around the railroad crossing. Although the information providing device 100 is exemplified as a server in Fig. 1, the information providing device 100 may be provided as one function within the crossing gate control device or as one function within the wheelchair terminal device.

[0018] The wheelchair terminal device is a terminal device that outputs, by display or audio output, information to assist wheelchair users in crossing railroad crossings that is output from the information providing device 100 so that the wheelchair user can confirm the information. For example, the wheelchair terminal device is a control device for an electric wheelchair, or a terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet carried by a wheelchair user, but is not limited to these examples.

[0019] An electric wheelchair is a wheelchair that is propelled by an electric motor. Examples of electric wheelchairs include joystick-type electric wheelchairs and handle-type electric wheelchairs (so-called senior cars), but are not limited to these examples.

[0020] The camera is a camera that captures the area around the railroad crossing. For example, the camera may be installed so as to capture images of vehicles and pedestrians attempting to cross the railroad crossing. Although one camera is shown in FIG. 1, multiple cameras may be provided.

[0021] Next, the configuration of the information providing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0022] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information providing device 100. Referring to FIG. 2, the information providing device 100 includes an acquiring unit 101, a calculating unit 102, and an output unit 103.

[0023] The acquisition unit 101 is an example of an acquisition means for acquiring speed information of a wheelchair approaching a crossing barrier. The wheelchair approaching a crossing barrier means, for example, that the wheelchair has come within a predetermined distance from the crossing barrier.

[0024] The speed information is information indicating the speed of the wheelchair. For example, the speed information is the speed set in the electric wheelchair. Furthermore, for example, the speed information may be a speed determined using a known method based on the position information of the terminal device of the wheelchair or a video image of the wheelchair. In this case, the device that determines the speed of the wheelchair using the position information or the video image may be provided in the information providing device 100 as, for example, a speed determination unit, or may be a speed determination device that is communicably connected to the information providing device 100.

[0025] Furthermore, a known method may be used to detect that the wheelchair has approached the crossing barrier. The predetermined distance at which it is detected that the wheelchair has approached the crossing barrier may be, for example, 10 m from the crossing barrier, and may be set appropriately so that the information providing device 100 can provide information to the wheelchair before the wheelchair starts to cross the railroad crossing. For example, the wheelchair starting to cross the railroad crossing means that the wheelchair has reached a crossing barrier located before the crossing in the direction of travel.

[0026] For example, the approach of a wheelchair to a crossing gate may be detected by the establishment of short-range communication between a communication device provided near the crossing gate and the terminal device of the wheelchair, or by the wheelchair's position information indicating that it has approached the crossing gate.

[0027] Furthermore, for example, the approach of a wheelchair to a crossing barrier may be detected by using image recognition technology on a video of the area around the crossing barrier and recognizing that the wheelchair is now included in the image. In this case, the device that detects the approach of a wheelchair based on the video of the area around the crossing barrier may be provided in the information providing device 100 as a detection unit, for example, or may be a detection device that is communicably connected to the information providing device 100.

[0028] Next, an example of the process of acquiring speed information by the acquiring unit 101 will be described.

[0029] For example, when a communication device provided near a crossing gate starts short-range communication with a control device of an electric wheelchair, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the speed information set in the electric wheelchair from the control device of the electric wheelchair via the communication device.

[0030] Furthermore, for example, the acquisition unit 101 may acquire speed information based on an image captured by a camera installed near the crossing barrier. For example, the above-mentioned detection device detects a wheelchair from an image captured by a camera installed near the crossing barrier. Then, the speed identification device identifies the speed of the wheelchair detected by the detection device, and the acquisition unit 101 acquires speed information of the wheelchair approaching the crossing barrier from the speed identification device.

[0031] Note that the process of acquiring speed information by the acquiring unit 101 is not limited to these examples.

[0032] The acquiring unit 101 may further acquire information indicating traffic volume at the railroad crossing. The traffic volume is the number of moving objects at the railroad crossing when a wheelchair crosses the crossing. Here, a moving object is an object moving on a road. The moving object may be, for example, a car, a bicycle, a pedestrian, or the like. The traffic volume may be expressed, for example, by the number of moving objects, the number of each type of moving object, or the total size of the moving objects. The traffic volume may also be expressed by levels classified into multiple stages based on the number of moving objects, the number of each type of moving object, the size of the moving objects, or the like. For example, the traffic volume may be expressed as levels divided into very high, high, normal, low, very low, none, or the like, but the levels representing the traffic volume are not limited to this example. The number of moving objects, the number of each type of moving object, and the size of the moving objects may be identified using a known method, for example, based on video captured around the railroad crossing.

[0033] The device for identifying the traffic volume may be provided in the information providing device 100 as a traffic volume identifying unit, for example, or may be a traffic volume identifying device connected to the information providing device 100 so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0034] The traffic volume may also include a first traffic volume, which is traffic volume traveling in the same direction as the wheelchair, and a second traffic volume, which is traffic volume traveling in the opposite direction to the wheelchair. In this case, for example, the traffic volume identification device may identify the direction of moving objects from video footage of the area around the railroad crossing using image recognition technology, and classify the moving objects shown in the video footage of the area around the railroad crossing as traveling in the same direction as the wheelchair or in the opposite direction to the wheelchair. The traffic volume identification device may then identify the first traffic volume and the second traffic volume based on the number of moving objects in each classified direction, the number of moving objects of each type, the size of the moving objects, etc.

[0035] The traffic volume may also be the traffic volume within the range of the road at the crossing where the wheelchair travels. The range where the wheelchair travels may be, for example, the sidewalk of the road at the crossing, or the range defined by the width of the road where the wheelchair travels and the direction of travel of the wheelchair.

[0036] Furthermore, when the information providing device 100 provides information to a wheelchair user approaching multiple railroad crossings, the acquiring unit 101 may acquire identification information that identifies the railroad crossing or the crossing barrier that the wheelchair is approaching.

[0037] The calculation unit 102 is an example of a calculation means for calculating the crossing time of a wheelchair at a railroad crossing based on the speed information and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing. The crossing time is the time it takes for the wheelchair to finish crossing the railroad crossing.

[0038] Here, the crossing distance is the distance it takes for a wheelchair to cross a railroad crossing. For example, the crossing distance is the distance between the position of the wheelchair and the position of a crossing barrier installed beyond the railroad tracks where the wheelchair has crossed. In this case, the crossing distance may be calculated using the distance between the position of the wheelchair and the crossing barrier. The distance between the position of the wheelchair and the crossing barrier may be identified, for example, based on the position of the wheelchair shown in a video captured around the railroad crossing, but the method for identifying the distance between the position of the wheelchair and the crossing barrier is not limited to this example. Furthermore, the process of calculating the crossing distance and identifying the distance between the position of the wheelchair and the crossing barrier may be performed as a function of the information providing device 100, or may be performed by another information processing device that is communicably connected to the information providing device 100.

[0039] Furthermore, for example, the crossing distance may be the distance between two crossing gates installed at one railroad crossing. In this case, the crossing distance may be stored in advance for each railroad crossing. When the information providing device 100 provides information for multiple railroad crossings, the calculation unit 102 may calculate the crossing time using the crossing distance stored in association with identification information that identifies the railroad crossing or the crossing gate at the railroad crossing that the wheelchair is approaching.

[0040] Next, an example of the process performed by the calculation unit 102 to calculate the crossing time will be described.

[0041] For example, if the crossing distance is the distance between the position of the wheelchair and the position of the crossing gate after the wheelchair has crossed the tracks, the calculation unit 102 calculates the crossing time by dividing the crossing distance of the railroad crossing by the speed. Also, if the crossing distance is the distance between two crossing gates installed at the railroad crossing, the calculation unit 102 calculates the crossing time by adding together the time it takes for the wheelchair to reach the crossing gate installed before crossing the tracks and the time calculated by dividing the crossing distance of the railroad crossing by the speed. In this case, the time it takes for the wheelchair to reach the crossing gate installed before crossing the tracks may be calculated based on the distance between the position of the wheelchair and the position of the crossing gate installed before the wheelchair crossed the tracks, and the speed of the wheelchair.

[0042] Furthermore, the calculation unit 102 may calculate the crossing time by further using information related to traffic volume. For example, the calculation unit 102 calculates a crossing time that is corrected so that the crossing time increases as the traffic volume increases. This is because wheelchairs, which have larger bodies than pedestrians and bicycles, are expected to have difficulty moving when traffic volume is high, and therefore their speed will decrease.

[0043] For example, the calculation unit 102 corrects the crossing time calculated based on the wheelchair speed and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing by using a correction value that is set to increase the crossing time as the traffic volume increases. For example, the calculation unit 102 may correct the crossing time using a calculation method such as (wheelchair crossing time at a railroad crossing) = (crossing time based on the wheelchair speed and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing) × (correction value according to traffic volume). In this case, the correction value is a value equal to or greater than 1, and is set to a larger value as the traffic volume increases. Also, for example, the calculation unit 102 may correct the crossing time using a calculation method such as (wheelchair crossing time at a railroad crossing) = (crossing time based on the wheelchair speed and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing) + (correction value according to traffic volume). In this case, the correction value is a value equal to or greater than 0, and is set to a larger value as the traffic volume increases.

[0044] Furthermore, for example, the calculation unit 102 corrects the crossing time by calculating the crossing time using the estimated speed during crossing and the crossing distance, using a correction value set to slow the wheelchair speed as the traffic volume increases. For example, the calculation unit 102 may correct the crossing time using a calculation method such as (estimated speed of the wheelchair while crossing the railroad crossing) = (speed of the wheelchair) / (1 + correction value according to traffic volume). In this case, the correction value is a value equal to or greater than 0, and is set to a larger value as the traffic volume increases. For example, the calculation unit 102 may correct the crossing time using a calculation method such as (estimated speed of the wheelchair while crossing the railroad crossing) = (speed of the wheelchair) - (correction value according to traffic volume). In this case, the correction value is a value equal to or greater than 0, and is set to a larger value as the traffic volume increases.

[0045] The method of correcting the crossing time according to the traffic volume is not limited to these examples.

[0046] When calculating the crossing time using information on traffic volume, the calculation unit 102 may calculate a crossing time corrected according to the traffic volume for each traveling direction. For example, the calculation unit 102 may correct the crossing time more greatly according to a second traffic volume, which is the traffic volume traveling in the opposite direction to the wheelchair, than according to a first traffic volume, which is the traffic volume traveling in the same traveling direction as the wheelchair. This is because, when a wheelchair is traveling, it is considered that there is a greater possibility of collision and a need to avoid collision with a moving object traveling in the opposite direction than with a moving object traveling in the same direction.

[0047] An example of the process in which the calculation unit 102 calculates the corrected crossing time using the first traffic volume and the second traffic volume will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In this example, the calculation unit 102 calculates the corrected crossing time by correcting the speed of the wheelchair. The calculation unit 102 uses the formula: (Estimated speed of the wheelchair while crossing the railroad crossing) = (Speed ​​of the wheelchair) / (1 + Correction value according to the first traffic volume + Correction value according to the second traffic volume).

[0048] FIG. 3 is a table showing examples of correction values ​​corresponding to the first traffic volume and the second traffic volume. The correction values ​​in FIG. 3 are used to correct the wheelchair speed by substituting them into the above-mentioned formula. In FIG. 3, traffic volume levels are divided into six levels: very heavy, heavy, normal, light, very light, and none. In FIG. 3, the correction values ​​corresponding to the first traffic volume, which is the traffic volume in the direction of travel of the wheelchair, are set to 0.3, 0.2, 0.2, 0.1, 0.1, or 0 according to the above-mentioned level. Furthermore, in FIG. 3, the correction values ​​corresponding to the second traffic volume, which is the traffic volume in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the wheelchair, are set to 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, or 0 according to the above-mentioned level.

[0049] As such, the correction value exemplified in Figure 3 is larger the greater the traffic volume. As a result, the wheelchair speed at the railroad crossing is corrected to be smaller the greater the traffic volume, and the crossing time at the railroad crossing is corrected to be longer the greater the traffic volume. Furthermore, among the correction values ​​exemplified in Figure 3, the correction value according to the second traffic volume is equal to or greater than the correction value according to the first traffic volume. As a result, the wheelchair speed at the railroad crossing is corrected to be less than when the second traffic volume in the opposite direction to the wheelchair is large compared to when the first traffic volume in the direction of travel of the wheelchair is large, and the crossing time at the railroad crossing is corrected to be greater than when the second traffic volume in the opposite direction to the wheelchair is large compared to when the first traffic volume in the direction of travel of the wheelchair is large compared to when the second traffic volume in the opposite direction to the wheelchair is large.

[0050] The example of the correction value is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0051] Furthermore, the calculation unit 102 may also calculate the crossing time using other information.

[0052] For example, the calculation unit 102 may calculate the crossing time by further using information indicating the characteristics of the railroad crossing. Here, the characteristics of the railroad crossing are characteristics of the railroad crossing that affect crossing by a wheelchair. Examples of the characteristics of the railroad crossing that affect crossing by a wheelchair include the shape of the railroad crossing, such as the angle at which the road and the tracks intersect at the crossing and the number of tracks at the crossing, and the topography around the crossing. Note that the information indicating the characteristics of the railroad crossing may be stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown) provided in the information providing device 100, or may be acquired by the acquisition unit 101 from a database that is provided outside the information providing device 100 and capable of communicating with the information providing device 100 and that stores the characteristics of the railroad crossing.

[0053] An example will be described in which the angle at which a road and a railroad track intersect at a railroad crossing is used to calculate the crossing time. For example, the calculation unit 102 corrects the crossing time so that the crossing time becomes longer as the angle at which the road and a railroad track intersect at the railroad crossing deviates from 90 degrees. In other words, the calculation unit 102 corrects the crossing time so that the crossing time becomes longer as the angle at which the road and a railroad track intersect at the railroad crossing approaches 0 degrees or 180 degrees with respect to 90 degrees. This is because there are cases in which a wheelchair is run at a right angle to the railroad tracks to prevent the wheelchair wheels from getting stuck in a groove in the railroad tracks and becoming unable to move.

[0054] In this case, the calculation unit 102 may correct the crossing time using a correction value according to the angle at which the road and the railroad cross, in the same way as correcting the crossing time based on traffic volume.

[0055] The reason for correcting the crossing time so that the crossing time becomes longer as the angle at which the road and the railroad tracks intersect at a railroad crossing deviates from 90 degrees will be explained with reference to the drawings. Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams showing examples of the travel path of a wheelchair crossing a railroad crossing.

[0056] Figure 4 shows an example of a travel path when a road and a railroad track intersect at a right angle at a railroad crossing. When a road intersects with a railroad track at a right angle as in Figure 4, the wheelchair can travel at a right angle to the railroad track by going straight along the road. Note that here, the crossing of a road and a railroad track at a right angle may include an angle of about 90 degrees, such as 80 to 100 degrees, at which the road and the railroad track intersect.

[0057] Figure 5 shows an example of a travel path when a road and railroad tracks intersect at an angle rather than at a right angle at a railroad crossing. Here, a road and railroad tracks intersect at an angle between 0 and 180 degrees, away from 90 degrees. When a wheelchair crosses a railroad crossing, it is preferable for the wheelchair to travel at a right angle to each groove in the railroad tracks and to travel on the edge of the road where no automobiles pass. Therefore, when a road intersects with the railroad tracks at an angle as in Figure 5, in order for the wheelchair to pass safely, it is expected that the wheelchair will make repeated small right and left turns, as shown in the example of a travel path shown by a solid line in Figure 5.

[0058] Another example of a wheelchair travel path shown by a double line in Figure 5 is a travel path that goes straight on at a right angle to the railroad tracks. In this case, the wheelchair travels diagonally on the road, which causes it to enter the inside of the road, and there is a possibility of it colliding with a car traveling on the inside of the road. Another example of a wheelchair travel path shown by a dotted line in Figure 5 is a travel path that goes straight on the road. In this case, the wheelchair travels diagonally on the railroad tracks, which causes the wheels of the wheelchair to get stuck in a groove in the railroad tracks.

[0059] Therefore, when a road and railroad tracks intersect diagonally at a railroad crossing as shown in Figure 5, for safety reasons, a route is used that involves repeated small right and left turns, as shown by the solid line in Figure 5. In this case, it is expected that the wheelchair travel distance will be longer than the crossing distance, such as the distance between barriers. For this reason, the calculation unit 102 may be able to calculate a more appropriate crossing time by correcting the crossing time so that the crossing time becomes longer as the angle at which the road and railroad tracks intersect at the railroad crossing deviates from 90 degrees.

[0060] Next, an example will be described in which the number of tracks at a railroad crossing is used to calculate the crossing time. For example, the calculation unit 102 corrects the crossing time so that the crossing time increases as the number of tracks at the crossing increases. This is because it is expected that a wheelchair will have difficulty surmounting bumps and may have to slow down. In other words, if the number of tracks at a railroad crossing is large, the wheelchair will have to negotiate more bumps, and it is expected that the crossing time will increase.

[0061] In this case, the calculation unit 102 may correct the crossing time using a correction value according to the number of railroad tracks, in the same way as correcting the crossing time based on the traffic volume.

[0062] Next, an example will be described in which the topography around a railroad crossing is used to calculate the crossing time. For example, the calculation unit 102 corrects the crossing time using the gradient of the road around the railroad crossing. The road around the railroad crossing may include not only the road between the crossing gates, but also the road from a point before the crossing gate to the crossing gate.

[0063] For example, if the road around the railroad crossing is uphill in the direction of travel of the wheelchair, the calculation unit 102 corrects the crossing time so that the greater the gradient, the longer the crossing time. This is because it is expected that the speed of the wheelchair will decrease when going uphill. In this case, the calculation unit 102 may correct the crossing time by adding a preset correction value, or may correct the crossing time by calculating the crossing time using an estimated speed at the time of crossing estimated based on the gradient.

[0064] Furthermore, for example, the calculation unit 102 may calculate the crossing time by further using information indicating the weather at the railroad crossing. Here, the weather at the railroad crossing refers to the weather at the railroad crossing that affects crossing by wheelchair. The weather at the railroad crossing that affects crossing by wheelchair is, for example, the amount of rainfall, snowfall, or wind speed at the railroad crossing. Note that here, the weather at the railroad crossing may be the weather observed at the railroad crossing, or the weather in the area where the railroad crossing is located. Note that the acquisition unit 101 may acquire the information indicating the weather at the railroad crossing from a device provided inside or outside the information provision device 100, such as a database that stores weather information or a sensor that detects weather.

[0065] An example will be described in which the weather at a railroad crossing is used to calculate the crossing time. For example, the calculation unit 102 corrects the crossing time so that the crossing time increases as the wind speed at the crossing increases. In this case, the calculation unit 102 may also correct the crossing time so that the crossing time increases as the wind speed increases in a direction different from the traveling direction of the wheelchair. This is because a wheelchair user may find it difficult to control the movement of the wheelchair when the wind is strong. The direction different from the traveling direction of the wheelchair may be appropriately set to a direction that makes it difficult to move the wheelchair due to the wind, such as a direction that is 90 degrees or more different from the traveling direction of the wheelchair. Note that even when the amount of rainfall or snowfall at a railroad crossing is used to calculate the crossing time, the crossing time may be corrected in the same way as when wind speed is used to calculate the crossing time, taking into account that rain or snow can make it difficult for a wheelchair user to control the movement of the wheelchair.

[0066] Although several examples of the method for correcting the crossing time have been described so far, these methods for correcting the crossing time may be combined as appropriate.

[0067] The output unit 103 is an example of an output means that outputs information regarding whether or not a wheelchair can cross a railroad crossing based on the crossing time and the time until the crossing is blocked by the crossing barrier. The time until the crossing is blocked by the crossing barrier is, for example, the time until the crossing is blocked by the crossing barrier. The time until the crossing is blocked by the crossing barrier may be represented by time or by the time remaining until the crossing is blocked. Furthermore, the time until the crossing is blocked by the crossing barrier may be acquired by the acquisition unit 101 from a crossing barrier control device, but is not limited to this example.

[0068] The output unit 103 outputs information regarding whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing to a terminal device that can be confirmed by the wheelchair user. The information regarding whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing is information that allows the wheelchair user to recognize whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing. The information regarding whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing will be described later. In this disclosure, it is mainly assumed that the output unit 103 outputs information regarding whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing before the wheelchair user starts to cross the railroad crossing, but this does not exclude the output unit 103 outputting information regarding whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing while the wheelchair user is crossing the railroad crossing. When the output unit 103 outputs information regarding whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing before the wheelchair user starts to cross the railroad crossing, the wheelchair user can recognize whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing before starting to cross. This allows the wheelchair user to take measures such as stopping to avoid crossing if it is not possible to cross, thereby more appropriately preventing a collision accident. Even when the output unit 103 outputs information regarding whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing while the wheelchair user is crossing the railroad crossing, the wheelchair user can recognize whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing. This allows wheelchair users to take measures such as increasing speed or asking for help from people around them when they are unable to cross the street, thereby preventing collisions.

[0069] As described above, the information regarding whether or not it is possible to cross is information that enables a wheelchair user to recognize whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing. The information regarding whether or not it is possible to cross is, for example, information that enables a wheelchair user to recognize whether or not it is possible to cross. The information that enables a wheelchair user to recognize whether or not it is possible to cross includes, for example, the crossing time and the time until the crossing at the railroad crossing is blocked by the barrier. The information regarding whether or not it is possible to cross may also be information that indicates whether or not it is possible to cross, determined based on the crossing time and the time until the crossing at the railroad crossing is blocked by the barrier. The information indicating whether or not it is possible to cross is not particularly limited as long as it enables a wheelchair user to recognize whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing.

[0070] Here, the determination of whether or not a wheelchair can cross a railroad crossing will be explained. The device that determines whether or not a wheelchair can cross a railroad crossing may be provided as a determination unit in the information providing device 100, for example, or may be a determination device that is communicably connected to the information providing device 100. In the following explanation, the determination unit will be described as determining whether or not a wheelchair can cross a railroad crossing, but the determination process in the following explanation may be executed by the determination device. The determination unit determines whether the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing based on the crossing time and the time until the crossing is blocked by the barrier. That is, the determination unit determines whether the crossing time has elapsed until the crossing is blocked by the barrier. For example, the determination unit may determine whether the crossing time has elapsed during the time until the crossing is blocked by the barrier specified from the control information of the barrier control device. Note that the method of determining whether the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing is not limited to this example.

[0071] The information indicating whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing, determined as described above, may be output in various forms, such as a display or a sound, on a terminal device. The information regarding whether or not it is possible to cross may also be information for controlling an electric wheelchair depending on whether or not it is possible to cross. The information for controlling an electric wheelchair depending on whether or not it is possible to cross may be, for example, control information for controlling the electric wheelchair to stop without entering the railroad crossing when it is not possible to cross.

[0072] Furthermore, outputting information indicating whether crossing is possible or not by the output unit 103 includes outputting information indicating whether crossing is possible or not only when crossing is not possible. This is because, when crossing is possible, not outputting information indicating whether crossing is possible or not may allow a wheelchair user to recognize that crossing the railroad crossing is possible.

[0073] Furthermore, the output unit 103 may further output support information that is information that supports wheelchair users in crossing the railroad crossing, depending on whether crossing is possible or not.

[0074] The support information provided when it is determined that crossing is not possible may include route information for avoiding crossing the railroad crossing. In this case, the output unit 103 may output support information including route information for avoiding crossing the railroad crossing that is stored in advance in a memory unit or the like provided in the information providing device 100. Furthermore, for example, the support information provided when it is determined that crossing is not possible may include the time until the crossing barrier comes down, or the time until a downed crossing barrier comes up. The time until the crossing barrier comes down is, for example, the time until the crossing barrier stops blocking crossings at the railroad crossing, identified from the control information of the crossing barrier control device for the current time. The time until the downed crossing barrier comes up is, for example, the time until the crossing barrier stops blocking crossings at the railroad crossing, identified from the control information of the crossing barrier control device for the current time.

[0075] The assistance information provided when it is determined that crossing is possible may include at least one of the following: the time until the barrier comes down, the minimum speed at which crossing is possible, the recommended crossing speed, and caution information according to the characteristics of the crossing. The minimum crossing speed is the speed at which crossing can be completed by the time the barrier blocks crossing. The minimum crossing speed may be calculated by dividing the difference between the current time and the time the barrier blocks crossing by the crossing distance. The recommended crossing speed may be, for example, a speed at which crossing can be completed with ample time to be completed before the barrier blocks crossing. For example, the recommended crossing speed may be calculated by dividing the difference between the current time and a time a predetermined time before the barrier blocks crossing by the crossing distance. The caution information according to the characteristics of the crossing may be, for example, a message or the like that enables wheelchair users to cross the crossing safely according to the characteristics of the crossing, and information previously stored according to the characteristics of the crossing may be used.

[0076] Furthermore, when it is determined that the wheelchair is able to cross the railroad crossing, the support information may include audio for alerting moving objects around the wheelchair crossing the railroad crossing. For example, the output unit 103 may output audio for alerting people around the wheelchair when the traffic volume is greater than a predetermined value.

[0077] Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, an example of an output screen displayed on the display of the wheelchair terminal device based on the output of the output unit 103 will be described.

[0078] FIG. 6 is an example of an output screen when it is determined that crossing is not possible. In FIG. 6, the output screen includes an icon and a message indicating that crossing is not possible. Also in FIG. 6, the output screen includes the time until the barrier comes down. Also in FIG. 6, the output screen includes a button for displaying a route that avoids the railroad crossing. Note that output when it is determined that crossing is not possible is not limited to display on a display, but may also be output using an audio output device such as a speaker. Also, the output screen when it is determined that crossing is not possible is not limited to the example of FIG. 6.

[0079] FIG. 7 is an example of an output screen when it is determined that crossing is possible. In FIG. 7, the output screen includes an icon and a message indicating that crossing is possible. Also in FIG. 7, the output screen includes the time until the crossing barrier comes down. Also in FIG. 7, the output screen includes a message calling attention to the fact that the tracks and the road intersect diagonally at the railroad crossing. This is an example of attention-grabbing information according to the characteristics of the railroad crossing. Note that output when it is determined that crossing is possible is not limited to being displayed on a display, but may also be output using an audio output device such as a speaker. Also, the output screen when it is determined that crossing is not possible is not limited to the example of FIG. 7.

[0080] The operation of the information providing device 100 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0081] First, the acquisition unit 101 acquires speed information of a wheelchair approaching a crossing barrier (step S101).

[0082] Next, the calculation unit 102 calculates the crossing time based on the speed information acquired in step S101 and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing (step S102).

[0083] Then, the output unit 103 outputs information about whether or not it is possible to cross the railroad crossing based on the crossing time calculated in step S102 and the time until the crossing is blocked by the crossing barrier (step S103).

[0084] This completes the series of operations of the information providing device 100.

[0085] The information providing device in the above-described embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a calculation unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires speed information of a wheelchair approaching a crossing barrier at a railroad crossing. The calculation unit calculates the crossing time of the wheelchair at the crossing based on the speed information and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing. Based on the crossing time and the time until the crossing is blocked by the barrier, information regarding whether the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing is output.

[0086] The information providing device of this embodiment allows a wheelchair user who is about to cross a railroad crossing to know whether or not the crossing is possible before crossing, thereby preventing the wheelchair user from crossing in an unsafe manner. As a result, the information providing device of this embodiment can provide a technology for preventing collision accidents when wheelchair users cross railroad crossings.

[0087] In particular, electric wheelchairs allow users to change the speed setting, and depending on the set speed, the speed may be slower than the walking speed of an average pedestrian. Furthermore, electric wheelchairs may have a speed limit, such as 6 km / h. Even with non-electric wheelchairs, it may be difficult to increase the speed while traveling. Therefore, the information provision device of this embodiment can provide a technology for preventing collision accidents when a wheelchair crosses a railroad crossing by not only issuing warnings using alarms installed at railroad crossings and barriers, but also by making it possible to determine whether the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing before entering the crossing.

[0088] [Hardware configuration] Some or all of the components of each device or system in each embodiment of the present disclosure described above are realized by any combination of an information processing device 1000 and a program, for example, as shown in Fig. 9. The information processing device 1000 includes, as an example, the following configuration.

[0089] ·CPU(Central Processing Unit)1001 ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002 ·RAM(Random Access Memory)1003 Program 1004 loaded into RAM 1003 A storage device 1005 for storing a program 1004 A drive device 1007 that reads and writes from and to the recording medium 1006 A communication I / F 1008 that connects to a communication network 1009 Input / output I / F 1010 for inputting and outputting data Bus 1011 connecting each component Note that I / F is an abbreviation for Interface.

[0090] Each component of each device or system in each embodiment is realized by CPU 1001 acquiring and executing a program that realizes the function of that component. The program that realizes the function of each component of each device is stored in storage device 1005 or RAM 1003 in advance, for example, and is read by CPU 1001 as needed. Note that program 1004 may be supplied to CPU 1001 via a communication network, or may be stored in recording medium 1006 in advance, and drive device 1007 may read the program and supply it to CPU 1001.

[0091] There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device or system may be realized by any combination of a separate information processing device 1000 and a program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components included in each device may be realized by any combination of a single information processing device 1000 and a program.

[0092] Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device or system may be realized by general-purpose or dedicated circuits including a processor or a combination of these. Examples of circuits include a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an LSI (Large Scale Integration) for AI (Artificial Intelligence) processing. These may be configured by a single chip or by multiple chips connected via a bus. Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits and a program.

[0093] When some or all of the components of each device or system are realized by multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc., the multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally or decentralized. For example, the information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be realized as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, or the like, in which they are connected via a communication network.

[0094] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0095] Furthermore, although the operations are described in a sequential order in the form of a flowchart, the order of description does not limit the order in which the operations are performed. Therefore, when implementing each embodiment, the order of the operations may be changed as long as it does not affect the content.

[0096] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0097] [Appendix 1] an acquisition means for acquiring speed information of a wheelchair approaching a crossing barrier; a calculation means for calculating a crossing time of the wheelchair at the railroad crossing based on the speed information and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing; an output means for outputting information regarding whether or not the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing based on the crossing time and the time until the crossing is blocked by the barrier; An information providing device comprising:

[0098] [Appendix 2] the acquisition means acquires information about traffic volume at the railroad crossing, the calculation means further uses information related to traffic volume to calculate the crossing time. 10. The information providing device according to claim 1.

[0099] [Appendix 3] the calculation means calculates the crossing time corrected so that the crossing time becomes longer as the traffic volume increases. 3. The information providing device according to claim 2.

[0100] [Appendix 4] the traffic volume includes a first traffic volume which is a traffic volume traveling in the same direction as the wheelchair, and a second traffic volume which is a traffic volume traveling in an opposite direction to the wheelchair, the calculation means calculates the crossing time corrected so that the correction according to the second traffic volume is greater than the correction according to the first traffic volume, 4. The information providing device according to claim 3.

[0101] [Appendix 5] The traffic volume is the traffic volume within the range in which the wheelchair moves. 5. An information providing device according to any one of appendices 2 to 4.

[0102] [Appendix 6] the calculation means calculates the crossing time by further using at least one of information indicating characteristics of the crossing and information indicating weather at the crossing, which affect crossing by the wheelchair at the crossing. 6. An information providing device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5.

[0103] [Appendix 7] the information indicating the characteristic is an angle at which a road and a railroad cross at the railroad crossing; the calculation means calculates the crossing time corrected so that the crossing time becomes longer as the angle deviates from 90 degrees. 7. The information providing device according to claim 6.

[0104] [Appendix 8] the information indicating the characteristic is the number of tracks at the railroad crossing, the calculation means calculates the crossing time corrected so that the crossing time becomes longer as the number of tracks increases. 8. The information providing device according to claim 6 or 7.

[0105] [Appendix 9] the output means outputs the information regarding whether or not the wheelchair user is allowed to cross the street to a terminal device that the wheelchair user can check. 9. An information providing device according to any one of appendices 1 to 8.

[0106] [Appendix 10] The output means further outputs support information that supports the wheelchair in crossing the railroad crossing depending on whether crossing is possible. 10. An information providing device according to any one of appendices 1 to 9.

[0107] [Appendix 11] The assistance information includes route information for avoiding crossing the railroad crossing when it is determined that the crossing is not possible. 11. The information providing device according to claim 10.

[0108] [Appendix 12] When it is determined that the crossing is possible, the assistance information includes at least one of a time until the barrier closes, a minimum speed at which the crossing is possible, and a recommended speed for the crossing. 12. The information providing device according to claim 10 or 11.

[0109] [Appendix 13] The system acquires information on the speed of wheelchairs approaching the crossing barrier, calculating a crossing time of the wheelchair at the railroad crossing based on the speed information and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing; outputting information regarding whether the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing based on the crossing time and the time until the crossing is blocked by the barrier; Information provision method.

[0110] [Appendix 14] The system acquires information on the speed of wheelchairs approaching the crossing barrier, calculating a crossing time of the wheelchair at the railroad crossing based on the speed information and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing; outputting information regarding whether the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing based on the crossing time and the time until the crossing is blocked by the barrier; A program that causes a computer to perform a process.

[0111] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 12 that are subordinate to Supplementary Note 1 (information providing device) described above may also be subordinate to Supplementary Note 13 (information providing method) and Supplementary Note 14 (program) in the same subordinate relationship as Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 12. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Note 1, Supplementary Note 13, and Supplementary Note 14, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be subordinate to various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, within the scope of each of the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 100 Information provision device 101 Acquisition Department 102 Calculation section 103 Output section 1000 Information Processing Device 1001 CPU 1002 ROM 1003 RAM 1004 Program 1005 Storage device 1006 Recording media 1007 Drive device 1008 Communication I / F 1009 Communication Network 1010 Input / Output Interface 1011 Bus

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring speed information of a wheelchair approaching a crossing barrier; a calculation means for calculating a crossing time of the wheelchair at the railroad crossing based on the speed information and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing; an output means for outputting information regarding whether or not the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing based on the crossing time and the time until the crossing is blocked by the barrier; An information providing device comprising:

2. the acquisition means acquires information about traffic volume at the railroad crossing, the calculation means further uses information related to traffic volume to calculate the crossing time. The information providing device according to claim 1 .

3. the calculation means calculates the crossing time corrected so that the crossing time becomes longer as the traffic volume increases. The information providing device according to claim 2 .

4. the traffic volume includes a first traffic volume which is a traffic volume traveling in the same direction as the wheelchair, and a second traffic volume which is a traffic volume traveling in an opposite direction to the wheelchair, the calculation means calculates the crossing time corrected so that the correction according to the second traffic volume is greater than the correction according to the first traffic volume, The information providing device according to claim 3 .

5. The traffic volume is the traffic volume within the range in which the wheelchair moves. The information providing device according to claim 2 .

6. the calculation means calculates the crossing time by further using at least one of information indicating characteristics of the crossing and information indicating weather at the crossing, which affect crossing by the wheelchair at the crossing. The information providing device according to claim 1 .

7. the information indicating the characteristic is an angle at which a road and a railroad cross at the railroad crossing; the calculation means calculates the crossing time corrected so that the crossing time becomes longer as the angle deviates from 90 degrees. The information providing device according to claim 6.

8. the information indicating the characteristic is the number of tracks at the railroad crossing, the calculation means calculates the crossing time corrected so that the crossing time becomes longer as the number of tracks increases. The information providing device according to claim 6.

9. The system acquires information on the speed of wheelchairs approaching the crossing barrier, calculating a crossing time of the wheelchair at the railroad crossing based on the speed information and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing; outputting information regarding whether the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing based on the crossing time and the time until the crossing is blocked by the barrier; Information provision method.

10. The system acquires information on the speed of wheelchairs approaching the crossing barrier, calculating a crossing time of the wheelchair at the railroad crossing based on the speed information and the crossing distance of the railroad crossing; outputting information regarding whether the wheelchair can cross the railroad crossing based on the crossing time and the time until the crossing is blocked by the barrier; A program that causes a computer to perform a process.

Images