Guidance system

Abstract

To provide a guidance system that can further reduce the burden on guides. [Solution] The system comprises a guiding stick 2 and a voice generating device 3 wirelessly connected to the guiding stick 2. The guiding stick 2 has a transmitter that wirelessly transmits voice control signals to the voice generating device 3, and an operating unit that is operated by an operator holding the guiding stick 2 to transmit voice control signals from the transmitter. The voice generating device 3 has a receiver that receives voice control signals from the transmitter, and a voice generator that generates sound based on the voice control signals received by the receiver.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a guidance system that notifies, for example, pedestrians and vehicles of guidance voices and electronic displays. Hereinafter, although mainly exemplifying solutions by voice, it is not limited thereto.

Background Art

[0002] <0000T009>In road work such as road construction, vehicle and pedestrian traffic may be restricted on part of the roadway or sidewalk. Therefore, in order to encourage safe passage for vehicles and pedestrians passing on the road or sidewalk, a guide may use a guiding tool such as a guiding rod to guide vehicles and pedestrians. In such a case, although the guide is guiding vehicles and pedestrians by using a guiding rod or calling out to pedestrians, it is necessary to call out while paying attention to the passage of vehicles and pedestrians, so the burden on the guide is increasing.

[0003] As such a guiding rod, one incorporating a voice output unit has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This guiding rod aims to reduce the burden on the guide by incorporating a voice output unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, for example, due to the aging of guides and a shortage of manpower, further reduction of the burden on guides is also required in the guidance system. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a guidance system capable of further reducing the burden on guides.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The guidance system according to the present invention is a guidance system comprising a guidance rod and a voice generating device wirelessly connected to the guidance rod, The guiding rod comprises a transmitter that wirelessly transmits an audio control signal to the audio generating device, and an operating unit that is operated by the operator holding the guiding rod and causes the transmitter to transmit the audio control signal. The voice generating device is characterized by comprising a receiver that receives the voice control signal from the transmitter, and a voice generator that generates sound based on the voice control signal received by the receiver.

[0007] According to the present invention, based on the operation of the control unit by a guide baton, an audio control signal is transmitted from the guide baton to an audio generator. The audio generator then transmits audio to passing pedestrians and vehicles based on the audio control signal. In this way, the guide baton does not need to directly speak to pedestrians or vehicles, thus reducing the burden on the guide baton. Furthermore, since the audio generator can communicate wirelessly with the guide baton, it can be installed in a location away from the guide baton, increasing the flexibility of guide baton placement. This enables more efficient guidance.

[0008] Furthermore, in the present invention, the guidance rod may have a switch as the operating unit for wirelessly transmitting the voice control signal from the transmitter.

[0009] According to the present invention, a guide holding a guide stick operates a switch to transmit an audio control signal to an audio generator, which then generates audio.

[0010] Furthermore, in the present invention, the guiding rod may have a motion sensor as the operating unit that detects the movement of the guiding rod and wirelessly transmits the voice control signal from the transmitter.

[0011] According to this invention, a guide transmits an audio control signal to a sound generator by performing a specific action, such as waving a guide stick, and the sound generator generates sound.

[0012] Furthermore, in the present invention, the sound generating device may have a plurality of such sound generators.

[0013] According to the present invention, since sound can be generated in multiple directions from a single sound generating device, more efficient guidance becomes possible.

[0014] Furthermore, in the present invention, the voice control signal may be wirelessly transmitted to a plurality of voice generating devices from the guidance rod.

[0015] According to the present invention, a single guidance rod can transmit voice control signals to multiple voice generating devices, and a single guide can generate voices from multiple voice generating devices that are spaced apart from each other, thus enabling more efficient guidance.

[0016] Furthermore, in the present invention, the sound generating device may be ground-mounted or pole-mounted.

[0017] According to the present invention, the sound generating device can be installed on the ground or on an existing support pole, allowing a guide to provide guidance from a location away from the sound generating device.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention may further include an electronic display device, wherein the guidance rod further comprises a second transmitter that wirelessly transmits a display control signal to the electronic display device, and a second operating unit operated by an operator holding the guidance rod, which causes the second transmitter to transmit the display control signal, and the electronic display device may further comprise a second receiver that receives the display control signal from the second transmitter, and a display unit that displays an electronic display based on the display control signal received by the second receiver.

[0019] According to the present invention, in addition to the voice based on the voice control signal, an image based on the display control signal can be transmitted toward pedestrians and vehicles passing by. Further, even when pedestrians and vehicles are in a state where they cannot hear the voice, they can be guided based on the displayed image.

[0020] Also, in the present invention, the voice generator may be adjustable from the outside of the voice generator via a network.

[0021] According to the present invention, for example, settings of the voice generation device such as the volume and sound quality of the guiding voice to be generated can be appropriately adjusted.

[0022] According to the guiding device of the present invention, since a guide holding a guiding rod does not need to directly address pedestrians and vehicles, the burden on the guide can be reduced. Further, since the voice generation device can be installed at a location away from the guide, the degree of freedom in arranging the guide is improved. Thereby, efficient guidance becomes possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing a guiding system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram showing the guiding rod of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is an exploded view showing the guiding rod of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing the usage state of the guiding system of FIG. 1.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] A guiding system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the guiding system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a guiding rod 2 held by a guide and a voice generation device 3 wirelessly communicatively connected to the guiding rod 2.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the guide baton 2 comprises a rod-shaped handle portion 11 that is grasped by personnel such as guides, and a rod-shaped lighting portion 12 attached to one end of the handle portion 11. The handle portion 11 is hollow and cylindrical, and includes a handle body 22 having two handle halves 21 cut along the longitudinal axis of the guide rod 2, and a handle cap 23 screwed onto one end of one of the handle halves 21.

[0026] Inside the handle body 22 are an operating unit 24, such as a switch for operating the guiding stick 2; a transmitter 25 that transmits audio control signals and display control signals from the guiding stick 2; a guiding stick control unit 26 that controls the operation of the guiding stick 2; and a battery 27 for supplying power to each component of the guiding stick 2. The operating unit 24 is exposed through an opening (not shown) provided in the handle body 22 so that it can be operated by the guide holding the handle 11, and is electrically connected to the guide rod control unit 26 in order to transmit the operating signals of the operating unit 24 to the guide rod control unit 26. The operating unit 24 is also configured to be able to turn the guide rod 2 on and off, and to transmit operating signals to send voice control signals and display control signals to the voice generator 3. The transmitter 25 is electrically connected to the guide rod control unit 26 and is controlled to transmit voice control signals and display control signals to the voice generator 3 based on the operation signals from the operation unit 24.

[0027] The lighting unit 12 is a translucent cylindrical shape and includes a transparent, hollow outer cylinder 31, a rod-shaped light source 32 positioned inside the outer cylinder 31, and a red, translucent, cylindrical colored cylinder 33 positioned inside the outer cylinder 31 and surrounding the light source 32 from the outside. A cylindrical illumination cap 34 is attached to one end of the outer cylinder portion 31, and is screwed onto one end of the handle portion body 22. The light source 32 comprises a rod-shaped light source support 35 and a light-emitting element 36 attached to the light source support 35. The light-emitting element 36 is connected to the guide rod control unit 26 and is configured to change its illumination state in response to the operation of the operation unit 24. That is, the light-emitting element 36 is configured to change its illumination state, such as blinking or blinking at different blinking intervals, in response to the operation of the operation unit 24, such as switching the light-emitting element 36 on or on. The light-emitting element 36 is, for example, a white LED. However, the light-emitting element 36 may be a light source other than a white LED, or an LED that emits light of a color other than white. The colored cylindrical portion 33 causes the light emitted from the white-emitting light source 36 to be converted into red light and emitted from the illumination unit 12. Alternatively, the outer cylindrical portion 31 may be made red without the colored cylindrical portion 33.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the sound generating device 3 is configured to be installed on the ground and comprises a housing 41, a receiver 42, a sound controller 43, a plurality (four in this embodiment) of speakers (sound generators) 44, a display controller 45, and a plurality (two in this embodiment) of displays 46, all located inside the housing 41.

[0029] The receiver 42 is configured to receive the voice control signal and the display control signal wirelessly transmitted from the transmitter 25 of the guide stick 2, and to send the received voice control signal to the voice control unit 43 and the display control signal to the display unit 46. Wireless communication between the receiver 42 of the voice generator 3 and the transmitter 25 of the guide stick 2 is, for example, Bluetooth®. Wireless communication may be performed by methods other than Bluetooth.

[0030] The voice control unit 43 is connected to multiple speakers 44 and is configured to send voice signals to the speakers 44 based on the received voice control signals. The voice control unit 43 may have a memory that stores various voice signals, such as male voices, female voices, various warning sounds, and voices in various languages, and may be configured to send a selected voice signal to the speakers 44 according to the received voice control signals. Speaker 44 is configured to emit sound to the outside based on the received audio signal. One of the multiple speakers 44 may emit sound to the outside that is different from that of the other speakers 44.

[0031] The display controller 45 is connected to a plurality of display units 46 and is configured to send display signals to the display units 46 based on the received display control signals. The display controller 45 may have a memory that stores various messages and image data, such as messages to allow or prohibit pedestrians from crossing the road, or messages to prompt or release vehicles from stopping, and may be configured to send a selected display signal to the display unit 46 according to the received display control signal. The display unit 46 is configured to display an electronic display to the outside based on the received display signal. One of the multiple display units 46 may display a different electronic display to the outside than the other display units 46. For example, one display unit 46 may display an electronic display for pedestrians, and the other display units 46 may display an electronic display for vehicles. The electronic information displayed by the display unit 46 is not limited to text information or image information, but may also be other information such as flashing lights with different periods or various colors of light emission.

[0032] The receiver 42 of the voice generator 3 is configured to allow external computers 50 to check the operating status and change settings of the voice generator 3 via a network. For example, the computer 50 can adjust the volume and tone of the sound emitted from the voice generator 3. The computer 50 may also adjust the volume of each of the multiple speakers 44. The computer 50 may also modify the audio data stored in the memory of the voice controller 43. Similarly, the computer 50 can adjust the color and brightness of the electronic display shown externally from the voice generator 3. The computer 50 may also modify the display data stored in the memory of the display controller 45. Furthermore, multiple voice generators 3 are installed, and each voice generator 3 is configured to receive voice control signals and display control signals transmitted from the guidance baton 2. The multiple voice generators 3 are arranged at intervals from each other. For example, the voice generators 3 are installed on both sides of the road. The voice generating device 3 may be equipped with a battery (not shown) and may be configured to be powered from an external source.

[0033] Next, we will explain how to use the induction system 1 configured as described above. As shown in Figure 4, the guide (operator) P, who is holding the guide stick 2, is standing between the two lanes of the road R, and the box-shaped voice generators 3 are positioned on both sides of the road R. The guide P operates the control unit 24 of the guide stick 2 to make the light-emitting element 36 illuminate, and also guides pedestrians A and vehicles B passing by waving the guide stick 2. The guide P also operates the control unit 24 to wirelessly transmit voice control signals and display control signals from the guide stick 2 to the two voice generators 3.

[0034] The receiver 42 of the voice generator 3 receives the voice control signal and the display control signal, and generates sound from the speaker 44 based on the received voice control signal, and displays an electronic display on the display unit 46 based on the received display control signal. In this way, the guide P can transmit voice and images for guidance to pedestrians A and vehicles B passing by without speaking to them. Furthermore, by transmitting the voice control signal and the display control signal to two voice generators 3, which are spaced apart from each other, voice can be generated and electronic displays can be made from a voice generator 3 on the opposite side of the road R from the side where the guide P is located. The generated voice and the displayed electronic display may be directed separately to pedestrians and vehicles, directed only to vehicles, or directed only to pedestrians. In this manner, pedestrian A and vehicle B are guided using guidance system 1.

[0035] With the guidance system 1 configured as described above, the guide P, who is holding a guide stick 2, does not need to directly speak to pedestrians A or vehicles B, thus reducing the burden on the guide P. In addition, by installing a voice generator 3 at a location away from the guide P, guidance voices and electronic displays can be generated through the voice generator 3, increasing the flexibility of the guide P's placement. This enables more efficient guidance. In particular, since the voice generator 3 can display electronic displays, guidance is possible even if pedestrians A or vehicles B have difficulty hearing the generated voices.

[0036] Here, the sound generating device 3 has multiple speakers 44, and since these speakers 44 can generate sound in multiple directions, it becomes possible to generate sound in multiple directions from a single sound generating device 3, enabling more efficient guidance. Furthermore, since a single guide stick 2 can transmit voice control signals to multiple spaced-apart voice generators 3, and one guide P can generate voices or display electronic displays from multiple voice generators 3, more efficient guidance becomes possible. For example, by installing voice generators 3 on both sides of a road R, guidance voices can be emitted or electronic displays can be displayed to pedestrians A or vehicles B through the voice generators 3 even on the side of the road R where a guide P is not stationed. Furthermore, since the settings of the voice generator 3 can be adjusted from an external computer 50 via the network, the settings of the voice generator 3 can be changed via the network even when the location is far from where traffic guidance is being performed.

[0037] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, one guiding stick may be configured to transmit voice control signals and display control signals to two or more voice generating devices, but one guiding stick may also be configured to transmit voice control signals and display control signals to one voice generating device. Even if one guiding stick is configured to transmit voice control signals and display control signals to one voice generating device, by positioning a guide with a guiding stick on one side of the road and a voice generating device on the other side, it becomes easy to generate guidance voices and display electronic displays for pedestrians and others walking on the other side of the road. Similarly, two or more guiding sticks may also be configured to transmit voice control signals and display control signals to one voice generating device. The guiding baton may have a switch operated by the guide, and the switch may be configured to change the volume and sound quality of the guidance voice emitted from the voice generator, or to change the content of the electronic display shown on the voice generator. Similarly, the guiding baton may be configured to allow adjustment of the color and lighting state (e.g., flashing and flashing cycle) of the light emitted from the guiding baton's lighting section by operating a switch. Furthermore, the guiding baton may be equipped with a motion sensor instead of a switch. This motion sensor may detect the movement of the guiding baton by the guide and, in accordance with the detected movement, change the volume and sound quality of the guidance voice emitted from the voice generator, or change the content of the electronic display shown on the voice generator. It may also be configured to allow adjustment of the color and lighting state (e.g., flashing or flashing cycle) of the light emitted from the guiding baton's illumination section. Similarly, the guiding baton may be equipped with an angle sensor instead of a switch, and this angle sensor may be configured to detect the tilt of the guiding baton, thereby allowing the baton to be operated. The operating section may take any form other than a switch, motion sensor, or angle sensor, or it may be equipped with a combination of a switch, motion sensor, and angle sensor. Furthermore, although the guidance stick is configured to transmit both audio control signals and display control signals using a single operating unit, separate operating units may be provided for transmitting audio control signals and for transmitting display control signals. Similarly, the guidance stick may be equipped with separate transmitters for transmitting audio control signals and for transmitting display control signals. Furthermore, the guiding stick only needs to be capable of transmitting at least an audio control signal to the audio generating device, and does not need to be configured to transmit a display control signal if it is not necessary to display an electronic display on the audio generating device. Flags or other decorative items may be attached to the guiding baton. The sound generating device is not limited to a ground-mounted type that is installed on the ground, but may also be configured to be attached to existing structures such as traffic lights (pole-mounted type). Furthermore, the voice generating device may be equipped with separate receivers for receiving voice control signals and for receiving display control signals. Furthermore, although the sound generation device also functions as an electronic display device, the sound generation device and the electronic display device may be formed as separate components. Also, the sound generation device only needs to be able to generate sound and may not be configured to display an electronic display. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1 Guidance system, 2 Guidance baton, 3 Voice generator, 24 Control unit (second control unit), 25 Transmitter (second transmitter), 42 Receiver (second receiver), 44 Speaker (voice generator), 46 Display unit

Claims

1. A guidance system comprising a guidance baton and a voice generator wirelessly connected to the guidance baton, The guiding rod comprises a transmitter that wirelessly transmits an audio control signal to the audio generating device, and an operating unit that is operated by the operator holding the guiding rod and causes the transmitter to transmit the audio control signal. An induction system characterized in that the voice generating device comprises a receiver that receives the voice control signal from the transmitter, and a voice generator that generates sound based on the voice control signal received by the receiver.

2. The guidance system according to claim 1, characterized in that the guidance rod has a switch as the operating unit for wirelessly transmitting the voice control signal from the transmitter.

3. The guidance system according to claim 1, characterized in that the guidance rod has a motion sensor as the operating unit that detects the movement of the guidance rod and wirelessly transmits the voice control signal from the transmitter.

4. The induction system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sound generating device has a plurality of sound generating devices.

5. The guidance system according to claim 1, characterized in that it is possible to wirelessly transmit the voice control signal to a plurality of voice generating devices from the guidance rod.

6. The guidance system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sound generating device is ground-mounted or pole-mounted.

7. Furthermore, equipped with an electronic display device, The guiding rod further comprises a second transmitter that wirelessly transmits a display control signal to the electronic display device, and a second operating unit that is operated by an operator holding the guiding rod and causes the second transmitter to transmit the display control signal. The induction system according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic display device comprises a second receiver that receives the display control signal from the second transmitter, and a display device that displays an electronic display based on the display control signal received by the second receiver.

8. The induction system according to claim 1, characterized in that the voice generator can be adjusted from outside the voice generator via a network.

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