Navigation system
The navigation system uses beacons to guide users to specific indoor or underground locations by switching communication terminals based on user movement, overcoming GPS limitations and enabling precise route guidance and communication with destination devices.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-12
AI Technical Summary
Conventional GPS-based navigation systems fail to provide accurate route guidance to destinations that are indoors or underground where GPS signals are unavailable.
A navigation system utilizing a plurality of wireless communication terminals (beacons) connected to an information processing device that provides route guidance by switching the wireless communication terminals based on the user's movement, allowing guidance to specific indoor or underground locations.
Enables precise navigation to destinations such as rooms in buildings or arbitrary locations underground by using beacons to transmit route information and facilitate communication with devices at the destination.
Smart Images

Figure 2026043361000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a navigation system. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, there is known a system that uses a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal receiving function installed in a mobile terminal, etc. to guide a user to a destination. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that uses GPS signals to navigate a user to a destination, and when the position of the user's mobile terminal approaches a specific traffic light controller at a pedestrian crossing, the system outputs a drive signal to the specific traffic light controller to drive an acoustic traffic light located on the user's route. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2015-521319 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, when using route guidance using GPS signals, if the destination is an arbitrary location indoors or underground where GPS signals cannot reach, or an arbitrary location within a facility, it may not be possible to provide route guidance to the exact location of the destination.
[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system that can guide a user to a specific destination that the user wants to reach. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the navigation system of the present invention comprises: a plurality of wireless communication terminals; an information processing device communicatively connected to the plurality of wireless communication terminals, The information processing device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires destination information related to a destination input to a terminal device of a user; a control unit that identifies a destination of the user based on the destination information, and transmits route information indicating a route guide from a current position of the terminal device to the destination to a wireless communication terminal that has detected the position of the terminal device, among the plurality of wireless communication terminals; The control unit switches, in response to movement of the terminal device, a wireless communication terminal to which the route information is to be transmitted, from among the plurality of wireless communication terminals.
[0007] With this configuration, the user can be guided to a specific destination that the user wants to reach, such as a room in an apartment building or an arbitrary location in the basement. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to guide a user to a specific destination that the user wants to reach. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a navigation system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device when route guidance is started by the navigation system shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example (part 1) in which route guidance is performed by the navigation system shown in FIG. 1 using a plurality of beacons 10. In FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of operations when route guidance is performed by the navigation system shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example (part 2) in which route guidance is performed by the navigation system shown in FIG. 1 using a plurality of beacons 10. In FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example (part 3) in which route guidance is performed by the navigation system shown in FIG. 1 using a plurality of beacons 10. In FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example (part 4) in which route guidance is performed by the navigation system shown in FIG. 1 using a plurality of beacons 10. In FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] [Navigation system configuration overview] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a user with route guidance from a current location to a destination.
[0011] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a navigation system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the navigation system 1 includes a plurality of beacons 10 (an example of a wireless communication terminal), a server 11 (an example of an information processing device), a base station 12, and a terminal device 20. The server 11 is communicatively connected to each beacon 10 via an external network 13. The server 11 is also communicatively connected to the base station 12 via the external network 13.
[0012] The terminal device 20 is a smartphone, tablet, laptop computer, personal computer, or the like operated by a user, and has a display unit such as a touch display. The terminal device 20 also provides the user with route guidance as described below by executing a predetermined application program installed via a platform that distributes apps, for example.
[0013] The terminal device 20 may be configured to execute software for browsing websites, that is, a program acquired via a web browser, instead of executing an application program.
[0014] The beacon 10 is a communication terminal that is powered by being connected to, for example, a USB port and is capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals. The beacon 10 detects the terminal device 20 located within a range that can be reached by the wireless signal from the beacon 10, and transmits detection information indicating the current location of the terminal device 20 and identification information of the terminal device 20 to the server 11.
[0015] The server 11 includes a communication unit (acquisition unit) 31, a control unit 32, a storage unit 33, and a memory 34. The communication unit 31 functions as an interface for the server 11 to communicate with external devices such as the base station 12 and the beacon 10.
[0016] The storage unit 33 includes a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory. Specifically, the storage unit 33 stores programs for the server 11 to execute various processes, beacon information indicating the correspondence between the identification information of each beacon 10 and the installation location, and the like.
[0017] The memory 34 includes a storage device such as a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM).
[0018] The control unit 32 is a processor including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The control unit 32 performs various controls related to the provision of route guidance.
[0019] [Route guidance using the navigation system] (Route guidance overview) The terminal device 20 accepts a destination input by the user and transmits destination information indicating the destination and identification information of the terminal device 20 to the server 11, for example, via the base station 12. The user inputs the destination to the terminal device 20 by inputting the place name, facility name, address, etc. of the destination. The user may also input the destination by voice input, etc.
[0020] The communication unit 31 in the server 11 receives and acquires the destination information and identification information transmitted from the terminal device 20 , and outputs the destination information and the identification information of the terminal device 20 to the control unit 32 .
[0021] When the control unit 32 receives the destination information and the identification information output from the communication unit 31, the control unit 32 stores the destination information and the identification information in the memory 34 in association with each other.
[0022] Furthermore, when the control unit 32 receives detection information of the terminal device 20 from the beacon 10 via the communication unit 31, the control unit 32 refers to, for example, the beacon information stored in the storage unit 33 and the destination information stored in the memory 34. Then, the control unit 32 identifies the destination input to the terminal device 20, and extracts, for example, a route from the current position of the terminal device 20 indicated by the detection information to the destination.
[0023] Then, the control unit 32 transmits route information indicating the extracted route and the identification information of the terminal device 20 to the beacon 10. When the beacon 10 receives the route information and the identification information of the terminal device 20 transmitted from the server 11, the beacon 10 transmits the route information to the terminal device 20 corresponding to the identification information by using a wireless signal.
[0024] When the terminal device 20 receives the route information transmitted from the beacon 10, the terminal device 20 outputs the route indicated by the route information. For example, the terminal device 20 displays a message indicating the route on a display unit and outputs the message by voice.
[0025] Note that each beacon 10 may be configured to output route guidance by voice instead of or in addition to transmitting route information to the terminal device 20.
[0026] Specifically, when the beacon 10 is mounted on a voice guide device installed in a public facility such as a train station, under normal circumstances when the terminal device 20 is not detected, the beacon 10 outputs voice messages aimed at a wide range of users, such as "This is the down escalator."
[0027] Then, suppose that a terminal device 20 running a predetermined application program for providing route guidance is detected by such a beacon 10. In this case, the audio output from the beacon 10 may be switched from audio intended for a wide range of users to audio for providing route guidance to the terminal device 20. In such a configuration, route guidance customized for a user can be performed using an existing beacon 10 installed in a public facility or the like.
[0028] (Display of guidance start button and call button) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device 20 when route guidance is started by the navigation system 1 shown in FIG.
[0029] 2, for example, when the user performs an operation to input a destination into the terminal device 20, a guidance start button B1 for instructing guidance to the destination is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 20. When the user performs an operation to select the guidance start button B1 on the terminal device 20, route guidance by the navigation system 1 is started.
[0030] A call button B2 for calling a device associated with the destination (hereinafter referred to as a "corresponding device") is also displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 20. For example, while the navigation system 1 is performing route guidance, the call button B2 is continuously displayed.
[0031] When the user performs an operation to select the call button B2 on the terminal device 20, the terminal device 20 transmits, for example, operation information indicating the operation content by the user to the beacon 10 that is closest to the current location of the terminal device 20.
[0032] When the beacon 10 receives operation information indicating that an operation of selecting the call button B2 has been performed from the terminal device 20, the beacon 10 transmits the operation information and the identification information of the terminal device 20 to the server 11, for example.
[0033] Here, a compatible device is set for each location that can be set as a destination, such as a home or facility. The memory unit 33 in the server 11 stores peripheral device information indicating the correspondence between each location and the compatible device. For example, a room master unit is set as a compatible device for each of a plurality of homes. Furthermore, for example, a control room master unit installed in a control room is set as a compatible device for each of a plurality of facilities.
[0034] The control unit 32 (see FIG. 1) in the server 11 receives operation information indicating that the call button B2 has been selected and the identification information of the terminal device 20 via the beacon 10 and the communication unit 31. Then, the control unit 32 refers to the destination information stored in the memory 34 to identify the destination input to the terminal device 20.
[0035] In addition, the control unit 32 refers to the peripheral device information stored in the memory unit 33, identifies the compatible device set for the destination, and transmits call destination information indicating the compatible device to the beacon 10 via the communication unit 31.
[0036] When the beacon 10 receives the call destination information transmitted from the server 11, it transmits a wireless signal to, for example, the compatible device indicated by the call destination information. As a result, a communication connection between the terminal device 20 and the compatible device is established via the beacon 10, and the user can use the terminal device 20 to talk to a person at the destination.
[0037] When the distance between the terminal device 20 and the compatible device is short, a voice call may be made directly between the terminal device 20 and the compatible device without going through the beacon 10. In this case, the control unit 32 of the server 11 identifies the destination input to the terminal device 20 based on receiving operation information indicating that the call button B2 has been selected and the identification information of the terminal device 20, and can transmit a wireless signal directly to the compatible device corresponding to the identified destination without going through the beacon 10.
[0038] As described above, in the navigation system 1 of the present invention, the call button B2 is displayed on the terminal device 20, and the user can make a call to a person at the destination using the terminal device 20. Therefore, even if the user is not within reach of the door unit at the destination and is unable to press the call button on the door unit, for example, the user can easily make a call to a person at the destination house.
[0039] Furthermore, visually impaired people may have difficulty pressing the intercom call button even when they arrive at the front door of a house or facility. On the other hand, visually impaired people often obtain information by using the voice output function of their own terminal device 20, and often use the terminal device 20 when they are out and about.
[0040] Therefore, as described above, the configuration that allows easy communication with people at the destination by using the terminal device 20 can reduce the psychological barriers that even visually impaired people face when going out, and increase their motivation to go out.
[0041] [Operation flow of route guidance using multiple beacons] Here, if the beacon 10 that detected the terminal device 20 is a beacon 10 that is installed at the destination input into the terminal device 20 or in the vicinity of the destination, the user can reach the destination by following the route information transmitted from the beacon 10.
[0042] On the other hand, if the beacon 10 that detected the terminal device 20 is far from the destination, when the user moves toward the destination, the terminal device 20 will be unable to receive route information from the beacon 10. For this reason, the server 11 switches the beacon 10 that outputs route information in accordance with the movement of the terminal device 20, and provides the user with detailed route guidance to the destination.
[0043] Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example (part 1) in which route guidance is performed by the navigation system 1 shown in Fig. 1 using a plurality of beacons 10. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of operations when route guidance is performed by the navigation system 1 shown in Fig. 1.
[0044] Here, an example will be described in which a user inputs room R2, one of the rooms in a multi-family home such as an apartment building, as a destination into terminal device 20. For example, a beacon 10 is mounted on a door slave unit of each of multiple rooms in the multi-family home. Also, storage unit 33 of server 11 (see FIG. 1) stores beacon information indicating a correspondence between the position of each room in the multi-family home and the identification information of the beacon 10 provided on the door slave unit of each room.
[0045] In such a case, the navigation system 1 can provide the user with detailed route guidance to the entrance of the room R2, which is the destination, while switching the beacons 10 used for route guidance in accordance with the movement of the terminal device 20.
[0046] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, first, when the terminal device 20 receives a destination input by the user (step S11), the terminal device 20 transmits destination information indicating the destination and its own identification information to the server 11, for example, via the base station 12 (see FIG. 1) (step S12).
[0047] Next, when the control unit 32 in the server 11 receives the destination information and identification information transmitted from the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 31, the control unit 32 associates the destination information and the identification information and stores them in the memory 34 (step S13).
[0048] Next, for example, it is assumed that the beacon 10A1 provided at the collective entrance of an apartment building among the beacons 10 detects the terminal device 20 (step S14). In this case, the beacon 10A1 transmits detection information indicating the current location and identification information of the detected terminal device 20 to the server 11 (step S15).
[0049] Next, when the control unit 32 in the server 11 receives the detection information of the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 31, it refers to the beacon information stored in the storage unit 33 and the destination information stored in the memory 34. Then, the control unit 32 confirms the installation location of the beacon 10A1 that is the sender of the detection information (step S16). Here, the control unit 32 confirms that the beacon 10A1 is the beacon 10 installed in the collective entrance device of the collective entrance that is in a location different from the destination.
[0050] Next, the control unit 32 extracts, for example, a route to room R1 located between the current location of the terminal device 20 and the destination room R2 (step S17).Then, the control unit 32 transmits route information indicating the extracted route and identification information of the terminal device 20 to the beacon 10A1 (step S18).
[0051] Next, when the beacon 10A1 receives the route information and the identification information of the terminal device 20 transmitted from the server 11, it transmits the route information to the terminal device 20 corresponding to the identification information (step S19).
[0052] Next, when the terminal device 20 receives the route information transmitted from the beacon 10A1, it outputs the route indicated by the route information (step S20). For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the terminal device 20 displays a message such as "Go through the automatic doors in front and take the elevator on your right to the third floor" on the display unit of the terminal device 20, and also outputs the message by voice.
[0053] Next, when the user arrives in the vicinity of room R1, beacon 10A2 installed in the entrance sub-unit of room R1 detects terminal device 20 (step S21) and transmits detection information indicating the current location and identification information of the detected terminal device 20 to server 11 (step S22).
[0054] Next, when the control unit 32 in the server 11 receives the detection information of the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 31, the control unit 32 confirms the installation location of the beacon 10A2 that is the sender of the detection information (step S23), similar to step S16. Here, the control unit 32 confirms that the beacon 10A2 is the beacon 10 installed in the entrance slave unit of the living room R1 that is different from the destination room.
[0055] Next, the control unit 32 extracts, for example, a route from the current location of the terminal device 20 to the destination room R2 (step S24). Then, the control unit 32 transmits route information indicating the extracted route and identification information of the terminal device 20 to the beacon 10A2 (step S25).
[0056] Next, when the beacon 10A2 receives the route information and the identification information of the terminal device 20 transmitted from the server 11, it transmits the route information to the terminal device 20 corresponding to the identification information (step S26).
[0057] Next, when the terminal device 20 receives the route information transmitted from the beacon 10A2, it outputs the route indicated by the route information (step S27). For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the terminal device 20 displays a message such as "You have reached the third floor. Please go straight" on the display unit of the terminal device 20, and also outputs the message by voice.
[0058] Next, when the user arrives at the destination room R2, for example, the beacon 10A3 provided in the entrance slave unit of room R2 detects the terminal device 20 (step S28). Then, the beacon 10A3 transmits detection information indicating the current location and identification information of the detected terminal device 20 to the server 11 (step S29).
[0059] Next, when the control unit 32 in the server 11 receives the detection information of the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 31, the control unit 32 confirms the installation location of the beacon 10A3 that is the sender of the detection information (step S30), similar to step S16. Here, the control unit 32 confirms that the beacon 10A3 is the beacon 10 installed in the entrance slave unit of the living room R2 that is the destination.
[0060] In this case, the control unit 32 transmits, for example, arrival information indicating that the terminal device 20 has arrived at the destination and identification information of the terminal device 20 to the beacon 10A3 (step S31).
[0061] Next, when the beacon 10A3 receives the arrival information and the identification information of the terminal device 20 transmitted from the server 11, it transmits the arrival information to the terminal device 20 corresponding to the identification information (step S32).
[0062] Next, when the terminal device 20 receives the arrival information transmitted from the beacon 10A3, it notifies the user that the user has arrived at the destination (step S33). For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the terminal device 20 displays a message such as "You have arrived at your destination" on the display unit of the terminal device 20, and also outputs the message by voice.
[0063] In addition, the control unit 32 in the server 11 may be configured not only to transmit route information to the terminal device 20 via the beacon 10 while route guidance is being performed, but also to control the opening and closing of automatic doors and elevators via the beacon 10.
[0064] [Other examples of route guidance] (Example of a commercial facility) The beacons 10 may be mounted in the communication devices of each of a plurality of stores in a commercial facility. In such a configuration, suppose that a user inputs the name of a store Sp2 in the commercial facility as a destination into the terminal device 20. In this case, the navigation system 1 can provide the user with detailed route guidance to the store, which is the destination, by switching the beacons 10 used for route guidance in accordance with the movement of the terminal device 20.
[0065] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example (part 2) in which route guidance is performed by the navigation system 1 shown in Fig. 1 using a plurality of beacons 10. More specifically, the storage unit 33 of the server 11 (see Fig. 1) stores beacon information indicating the correspondence between the position of each store in the commercial facility and the identification information of the beacon 10 provided in the communication device of each store.
[0066] For example, during normal times when no terminal device 20 is detected, each beacon 10 outputs a message aimed at a wide range of users, such as "This is the main entrance to the shopping town" or "This is the down escalator."
[0067] 5, until the user arrives at the entrance of the commercial facility, the route to the entrance of the commercial facility is guided via a beacon 10B1 provided in a door slave unit at the entrance of the commercial facility. Specifically, a message such as "Go straight for 5 meters and you will reach the main entrance of the shopping town" is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 20, and the message is also output by voice.
[0068] When the user arrives at the entrance of the commercial facility, for example, the beacon 10B1 provides guidance on a route to the store Sp1 located between the beacon 10B1 and the destination store Sp2. Specifically, a message such as "Please proceed to the store Sp1 at the end of the road, 3 meters ahead" is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 20, and the message is also output by voice.
[0069] Then, when the user arrives near the store Sp1, for example, a beacon 10B2 provided in a communication device of the store Sp1 provides guidance on the route to the destination store Sp2 from the current location of the terminal device 20. Specifically, a message such as "You are in front of the store Sp1. Turn left and go straight for 10 meters" is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 20, and the message is also output by voice.
[0070] Then, when the user arrives at the store Sp2, for example, a beacon 10B3 provided in a communication device of the store S2 notifies the terminal device 20 that the user has arrived at the destination store Sp2. Specifically, a message such as "You have arrived at store Sp2" is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 20, and the message is output by voice. In this way, the server 11 sequentially switches the beacons that provide route guidance, and provides detailed route guidance to the destination store Sp2.
[0071] Also, suppose that the user performs an operation to select the call button B2 displayed on the terminal device 20. In this case, for example, the terminal device 20 is communicatively connected to a master device (an example of a target device) installed in a management office of a commercial facility or the like, or a communication device in the store Sp2 that is the destination. This allows the user to make a call with a person at the destination.
[0072] (Parking lot example) A plurality of beacons 10 may be mounted in a parking lot having a plurality of sections provided in a commercial facility or the like. For example, each beacon 10 is mounted on a camera installed in each section of the parking lot. The camera is, for example, a 360-degree camera capable of capturing images in all directions, and the captured images are transmitted to the server 11 via the beacon 10 mounted on the camera.
[0073] In this configuration, it is assumed that the user inputs the license plate number and other information of the vehicle parked in the parking lot into the terminal device 20. In this case, the terminal device 20 transmits to the server 11 destination information indicating the license plate number and other information of the vehicle input by the user.
[0074] The control unit 32 in the server 11 acquires the captured images transmitted from each camera via the communication unit 31. Furthermore, when the control unit 32 receives the destination information transmitted from the terminal device 20, it performs image processing on the captured images from the cameras, for example, to detect the license plate number and the like of the vehicle indicated in the destination information from the captured images, and sets the position of the vehicle as the destination.
[0075] 6 is a diagram for explaining an example (part 3) in which route guidance is performed by the navigation system 1 shown in FIG. 1 using a plurality of beacons 10. More specifically, the storage unit 33 of the server 11 (see FIG. 1) stores beacon information indicating the correspondence between the location of each parking lot section and the identification information of the beacons 10 mounted on the cameras installed in each section. Each beacon 10 normally outputs a message intended for a wide range of users, such as "This is the parking lot on the first basement floor," for example, when no terminal device 20 is detected.
[0076] 6, when the user arrives at the entrance of the parking lot, for example, beacon 10C1 in section E1 closest to the entrance detects terminal device 20 and provides guidance to terminal device 20 on a route to section E2 located between beacon 10C1 and section E3 where the destination vehicle is located. Specifically, a message such as "Please go straight for 5 meters" is displayed on the display unit of terminal device 20, and the message is also output by voice.
[0077] Then, when the user arrives at section E2, for example, a beacon 10C2 mounted on a camera in section 2 detects the terminal device 20 and provides guidance to the terminal device 20 on the route to section E3. Specifically, a message such as "Turn right 3 meters ahead" is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 20, and the message is also output by voice.
[0078] Then, when the user arrives at section E3, for example, a beacon 10C3 mounted on a camera in section E3 detects the terminal device 20 and notifies the terminal device 20 that the user has arrived at the destination vehicle. Specifically, a message such as "You have arrived at the section where the car is parked" is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 20, and the message is output by voice. In this way, the server 11 sequentially switches the beacons 10 that provide route guidance, and provides detailed route guidance to the destination vehicle.
[0079] The control unit 32 in the server 11 may be configured to detect a parking operation by the user based on the captured image. For example, when the control unit 32 detects a parking operation by the user, the control unit 32 can acquire detection information from the beacon 10 that is the transmission source of the captured image, and associate the parked vehicle of the user with the terminal device 20 of the user.
[0080] In this case, even if the user has not input the vehicle number or the like into the terminal device 20 when receiving route guidance to the vehicle, the server 11 can identify the vehicle associated with the terminal device 20 as the user's destination.
[0081] Also, suppose that the user performs an operation to select the call button B2 displayed on the terminal device 20. In this case, for example, the terminal device 20 and a master unit (an example of a target device) installed in a management room of a parking lot are connected for communication. This allows the user to make a call with the manager of the parking lot, etc.
[0082] (Supermarket example) In a supermarket having multiple sales areas (an example of a section), multiple beacons 10 may be installed. For example, each beacon 10 is provided for each sales area. During normal times when no terminal device 20 is detected, the beacon 10 outputs a message by voice aimed at a wide range of users, such as information about featured products.
[0083] In this configuration, suppose that the user inputs the type of product (e.g., tea) that they wish to purchase into the terminal device 20. In this case, the terminal device 20 transmits destination information indicating the type of product input by the user to the server 11. Upon receiving the destination information transmitted from the terminal device 20, the server 11 sets the sales floor (e.g., beverage sales floor) for the type of product (e.g., tea) indicated by the destination information as the destination.
[0084] Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example (part 4) in which route guidance is performed by the navigation system 1 shown in Fig. 1 using a plurality of beacons 10. More specifically, the storage unit 33 of the server 11 (see Fig. 1) stores beacon information indicating the correspondence between the location of each sales floor in the supermarket and the identification information of the beacons 10 provided in each sales floor.
[0085] As shown in Fig. 7, suppose the user arrives at the entrance of a supermarket. In this case, for example, a beacon 10D1 in a fruit section Ct1 closest to the entrance provides guidance on a route to a vegetable section Ct2 located between the current location of the terminal device 20 and the destination, a beverage section Ct3. Specifically, a message such as "This is the entrance to OO supermarket. Turn right and go straight for 3 meters" is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 20, and the message is also output by voice.
[0086] Then, when the user arrives at the vegetable section Ct2, for example, a beacon 10D2 provided in the vegetable section Ct2 provides guidance on the route from the current location of the terminal device 20 to the beverage section Ct3. Specifically, a message such as "You are at the vegetable section. Turn left and go straight for 5 meters" is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 20, and the message is also output by voice.
[0087] When the user arrives at the beverage counter Ct3, the beacon 10D3 installed in the beverage counter Ct3 notifies the terminal device 20 that the user has arrived at the beverage counter Ct3, which is the destination. Specifically, a message such as "You have arrived at the beverage counter Ct3" is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 20, and the message is also output by voice. In this way, the server 11 sequentially switches the beacons that provide route guidance, and provides detailed route guidance to the beverage counter Ct3 where the user can purchase tea, which is the destination.
[0088] Assume that the user performs an operation to select the call button B2 displayed on the terminal device 20. In this case, for example, the terminal device 20 and a parent device (an example of a target device) installed in a management room of a supermarket are connected for communication. This allows the user to talk to the manager of the supermarket or the like.
[0089] As described above, in the navigation system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 31 in the server 11 acquires destination information indicating the user's destination based on the content of an input made by the user to the terminal device 20. Then, the control unit 32 transmits route information indicating route guidance from the current location of the terminal device 20 to the destination to one of the multiple wireless communication terminals that has detected the location of the terminal device 20. Furthermore, the control unit 32 switches the wireless communication terminal to which the route information is to be transmitted among the multiple wireless communication terminals in accordance with the movement of the terminal device 20.
[0090] With this configuration, the user can reach the destination by repeatedly following the route guidance output from a nearby wireless communication terminal. Also, compared to route guidance using GPS signals, this system can guide the user to a specific destination, such as a room in an apartment building or an arbitrary location underground.
[0091] In the navigation system 1, the wireless communication terminal is a beacon 10.
[0092] With this configuration, compared to when a wireless communication terminal using other communication standards such as Wi-Fi is used, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of radio wave interference and provide stable route guidance to the terminal device 20.
[0093] In the navigation system 1, the wireless communication terminal is mounted on the camera.
[0094] With this configuration, the position of the terminal device 20 can be detected based on an image captured by a camera, for example.
[0095] In addition, in the navigation system 1, the control unit 32 causes the terminal device 20 to display a call button for calling a device associated with the destination while route guidance to the destination is being executed.
[0096] With this configuration, by operating the terminal device 20, it is possible to establish a communication connection with a communication device installed in a management office of a facility that is the destination, or with a room master unit in a room of an apartment building.
[0097] Furthermore, even if a visually impaired user reaches their destination, they may find it difficult to press the call button on the intercom device installed at the destination. However, as described above, this is particularly effective because it allows the user to make a call with a person associated with the destination by operating the user's terminal device 20.
[0098] In addition, the navigation system 1 includes a plurality of wireless communication terminals that are provided at entrance slave units of a plurality of rooms in an apartment building.
[0099] With this configuration, if the destination is one of the rooms in the apartment building, the user can be guided to the destination room.
[0100] In the navigation system 1, the plurality of wireless communication terminals are provided in communication devices in the plurality of stores included in the commercial facility.
[0101] With this configuration, if one of the stores in the commercial facility is the destination, the user can be guided to the store that is the destination.
[0102] In the navigation system 1, the multiple wireless communication terminals are installed in a parking lot or a store having multiple sections.
[0103] With this configuration, for example, by sequentially switching between wireless communication terminals provided for each section of the parking lot and transmitting route information to the terminal device 20, it is possible to guide the user to his or her vehicle.
[0104] Furthermore, for example, by sequentially switching between wireless communication terminals installed in each section of the store and transmitting route information to the terminal device, the user can be guided to the sales area for the product that the user wishes to purchase. [Explanation of symbols]
[0105] 1. Navigation system 10, 10A1 to 10A3, 10B1 to 10B3, 10C1 to 10C3, 10D1 to 10D3 Beacons (examples of wireless communication terminals) 11 Server (an example of an information processing device) 12 base station 13 External Network 20 Terminal equipment 31 Communication Department (Acquisition Department) 32 Control Unit 33 Storage section 34 memory
Claims
1. a plurality of wireless communication terminals; an information processing device communicatively connected to the plurality of wireless communication terminals, The information processing device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires destination information related to a destination input to a terminal device of a user; a control unit that identifies a destination of the user based on the destination information, and transmits route information indicating a route guide from a current position of the terminal device to the destination to a wireless communication terminal that has detected the position of the terminal device, among the plurality of wireless communication terminals; The control unit switches, in accordance with movement of the terminal device, a wireless communication terminal to which the route information is to be transmitted, from among the plurality of wireless communication terminals.
2. The navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication terminal is a beacon.
3. The navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication terminal is mounted on a camera.
4. The navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit causes the terminal device to display a call button for calling a device associated with the destination while route guidance to the destination is being executed.
5. The navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wireless communication terminals are provided at entrance units of a plurality of rooms included in an apartment building.
6. The navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wireless communication terminals are provided in communication devices of a plurality of stores included in a commercial facility.
7. The navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wireless communication terminals are provided in a parking lot or a store having a plurality of sections.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
A visually impaired person's acoustic signaling system using GPS and smartphone applications
JP2015521319A