Route data processing device, route data processing method, and route data processing program

Abstract

To provide a route data processing device that can safely guide visually impaired individuals on their journeys. [Solution] The system acquires sound data indicating a guide point that can be recognized by a visually impaired person, and location data indicating the location of the guide point. Based on the acquired sound data and location data, it records guide point data PT for the visually impaired person in map data MP. It acquires a request to transmit route data indicating the route to the destination. In response to the acquired transmission request, it generates a route that includes the guide point and transmits the route data indicating the generated route to the sender of the transmission request.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of route data processing devices, route data processing methods, and route data processing programs. More specifically, it belongs to the technical field of route data processing devices and route data processing methods for processing route data for guiding visually impaired persons, particularly for movement by walking, and programs for such route data processing devices.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, there has been an increasing interest and demand in constructing a society where even people with visual or hearing impairments can live easily. As part of such demands, research and development on devices for assisting the movement of visually impaired persons have been actively carried out. As a prior art document that discloses an example of such a conventional technology, for example, the following Patent Document 1 can be cited.

[0003] This Patent Document 1 discloses a prior art aimed at providing a guidance system for visually impaired persons that links a lightweight cane and a mobile terminal. The guidance system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is composed of a cane held by a user when walking and a mobile terminal that processes information acquired by the cane. At this time, in the cane, various information for specifying position information is acquired by sensors, and the acquired various information is transmitted to the mobile terminal. On the other hand, in the mobile terminal, various information transmitted from the cane is received, the position information of the user is specified from the received information, and the specified position information is compared with the walking route on the map application set in the mobile terminal to guide the user to the destination.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, generally speaking, routes suitable for walking for visually able-bodied individuals (hereinafter simply referred to as "able-bodied individuals") often differ from routes suitable for walking for visually impaired individuals. For example, even a step or unevenness on the road that poses no problem for a visually impaired person can be a major obstacle for a visually impaired person, potentially causing falls and injuries. Therefore, routes including such steps are unsuitable for visually impaired individuals. Furthermore, due to their visual impairment, a route that includes landmarks visible to a visually able-bodied person becomes equivalent to a route without any landmarks. Considering the above situation, there is a need for route setting (searching) that allows visually impaired individuals to move easily and safely to their destinations. However, Patent Document 1 does not consider addressing such a need at all. Therefore, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot address the above need.

[0006] Therefore, this application was made in view of the above-mentioned problems and requirements, and one example of the problem is to provide a route data processing device and processing method, as well as a program for said processing device, that can safely guide visually impaired persons on their movements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 includes: data acquisition means for acquiring feature data indicating a feature recognizable by a visually impaired person and location data indicating the location of said feature; recording means for recording guide points for the visually impaired in map data based on the acquired feature data and location data; request acquisition means for acquiring a request to transmit route data indicating a route to a destination; generation means for generating a route corresponding to the acquired transmission request and including the guide points for the visually impaired; and transmission means for transmitting the route data indicating the generated route to the sender of the transmission request.

[0008] To solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 7 comprises a data acquisition means for acquiring feature data indicating a feature recognizable by a visually impaired person and location data indicating the location of said feature, and a recording means for recording guide points for the visually impaired in map data based on the acquired feature data and location data.

[0009] To solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 8 comprises: a request acquisition means for acquiring a request to transmit route data indicating a route usable when a visually impaired person travels to a destination; a generation means for generating a route including guide points for the visually impaired recorded in map data based on feature data indicating features recognizable by the visually impaired person and location data indicating the location of the features; and a transmission means for transmitting the route data indicating the generated route to the sender of the transmission request.

[0010] To solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 9 is a route data processing method performed in a route data processing device comprising data acquisition means, recording means, request acquisition means, generation means, and transmission means, comprising: a data acquisition step of acquiring feature data indicating a feature recognizable by a visually impaired person and location data indicating the location of the feature using the data acquisition means; a recording step of recording guide points for the visually impaired in map data using the recording means based on the acquired feature data and location data; a request acquisition step of acquiring a request to transmit route data indicating a route to a destination using the request acquisition means; a generation step of generating a route corresponding to the acquired transmission request and including the guide points for the visually impaired using the generation means; and a transmission step of transmitting the route data indicating the generated route to the sender of the transmission request using the transmission means.

[0011] To solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 10 makes the computer function as a data acquisition means for acquiring feature data indicating features recognizable by visually impaired persons and location data indicating the location of said features; a recording means for recording guide points for visually impaired persons in map data based on the acquired feature data and location data; a request acquisition means for acquiring a request to transmit route data indicating a route to a destination; a generation means for generating a route corresponding to the acquired transmission request and including the guide points for visually impaired persons; and a transmission means for transmitting the route data indicating the generated route to the sender of the transmission request. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the outline configuration of the root data processing device of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram illustrating the overview configuration of the navigation system in the example. [Figure 3] The following are block diagrams showing the detailed configuration of a location information transmission terminal that constitutes the navigation system of the embodiment; (a) is the block diagram, and (b) is a diagram illustrating the location information registration process of the embodiment. [Figure 4] The images show a block diagram illustrating the detailed configuration of the server constituting the navigation system of the embodiment, where (a) is the block diagram and (b) is a diagram illustrating the contents of the guidance point data of the embodiment. [Figure 5] The following are block diagrams showing the detailed configuration of the guidance terminal that constitutes the navigation system of the embodiment; (a) is the block diagram, and (b) is a diagram (I) illustrating the guidance process of the embodiment. [Figure 6] This is Figure (II) illustrating the guidance process in the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Next, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the root data processing device of the embodiment.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the route data processing apparatus S of the embodiment includes a data acquisition unit 1, a recording unit 2, a request acquisition unit 3, a generation unit 4, and a transmission unit 5.

[0015] In this configuration, the data acquisition unit 1 acquires feature data indicating features recognizable by visually impaired persons and position data indicating the positions of the features. Then, based on the feature data and position data acquired by the data acquisition unit 1, the recording unit 2 records guide points for visually impaired persons in the map data.

[0016] On the other hand, the request acquisition unit 3 acquires a transmission request for route data indicating a route to a destination. Then, the generation unit 4 generates a route corresponding to the transmission request acquired by the request acquisition unit 3 and including guide points for visually impaired persons. Thereafter, the transmission unit 5 transmits the route data indicating the route generated by the generation unit 4 to the sender of the transmission request acquired by the request acquisition unit 3.

[0017] As described above, according to the operation of the route data processing apparatus S of the embodiment, based on the feature data indicating features recognizable by visually impaired persons and the position data indicating the positions of the features, guide points for visually impaired persons are recorded in the map data. Then, a route corresponding to the transmission request for route data to the destination and including guide points for visually impaired persons is generated, and the route data indicating the generated route is transmitted to the sender of the transmission request.

[0018] Therefore, it is possible to share a route including guide points for visually impaired persons corresponding to features recognizable by visually impaired persons among multiple persons and safely guide visually impaired persons using the route.

Example

[0019] Next, specific embodiments corresponding to the embodiments described above will be explained with reference to Figures 2 to 6. The embodiments described below are examples in which the present invention is applied to a navigation system that guides a visually impaired person on foot (hereinafter referred to as "walking movement" as appropriate) using, for example, voice guidance, via a guidance terminal of the embodiment carried by the visually impaired person. In this case, the navigation system of the embodiment includes a guidance point data recording system for recording guidance point data, which is data relating to points suitable for guiding a visually impaired person on foot, within map data, and a route generation / guidance system for providing guidance using a route generated for guiding a visually impaired person on foot using the recorded guidance point data.

[0020] Furthermore, Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of the navigation system of the embodiment, Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the point information transmission terminal constituting the navigation system of the embodiment, and Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the server constituting the navigation system of the embodiment. In addition, Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the guidance terminal constituting the navigation system of the embodiment, and Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the guidance process of the embodiment. In Figure 4, the same component number as the component in the said route data processing device S is used for each component in the embodiment corresponding to each component in the said route data processing device S.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation system SS of the embodiment includes location information transmission terminals T1, T2, …, Tn (n is a natural number; the same applies hereinafter), which are each carried by a visually impaired person or a healthy person and function as part of the above-mentioned guidance point data recording system, guidance terminals G1, G2, …, Gm (m is a natural number; the same applies hereinafter), which are each carried by a visually impaired person and function as part of the above-mentioned route generation / guidance system, and a server SV that functions as part of the above-mentioned guidance point data recording system and part of the above-mentioned route generation / guidance system. The location information transmission terminals T1, T2, …, Tn, the guidance terminals G1, G2, …, Gm, and the server SV are connected to each other via a network NW such as the Internet so that information or data can be exchanged. In the following description, when describing matters common to the location information transmission terminals T1, T2, …, Tn, these are collectively referred to as the "location information transmission terminal T". Also, when describing matters common to the guidance terminals G1, G2, …, Gm, these are collectively referred to as the "guidance terminal G". Further, a visually impaired person or a healthy person carrying the location information transmission terminal T is simply referred to as the "carrier" of the location information transmission terminal T.

[0022] In the above configuration, as part of the function of the guidance point data recording system, information indicating a location or a road (travel route) having an attribute suitable for guiding the walking movement of a visually impaired person is input by voice by the carrier of the location information transmission terminal T to each location information transmission terminal T. Thereby, each location information transmission terminal T transmits the information input by the voice, together with the position data indicating the current position of the location information transmission terminal T, to the server SV via the network NW. Then, the server SV records the information transmitted from each location information transmission terminal T in a non-volatile manner as the guidance point data of the embodiment, in association with the simultaneously transmitted position data. At this time, the location or the travel route having an attribute suitable for guiding the walking movement of the visually impaired person becomes the guidance point of the embodiment.

[0023] Here, a location or route used as a guide point in an embodiment having attributes suitable for guiding visually impaired persons on foot means a location or route that a visually impaired person can use as a landmark without relying on their vision when walking. More specifically, characteristics of a guide point include, for example, "a convenience store that emits a specific sound to the outside that can be recognized as coming from that convenience store," "a bakery that emits the smell of bread to the outside," "a traffic light with an audio assistance function," "a slope that can be distinguished from a normal flat road by being a slope," and "a gravel road that can be distinguished from a normal road by sound or sensations mediated by the feet or legs." The server SV records, as guide point data indicating guide points having these characteristics, the characteristics indicated by the information input by voice by the person carrying the location information transmission device T, and the location data transmitted from the location information transmission terminal T along with that information, in a mutually identifiable and non-volatile manner.

[0024] On the other hand, as part of the function of the above route generation / guidance system, information indicating a facility or point (hereinafter referred to simply as "a feature") that will be the destination of walking movement (in the following description, such facility or point will be simply referred to as "a feature") is input by voice from the visually impaired person carrying the location information transmission device T. As a result, each guidance terminal G transmits the information input by voice, along with location data indicating the current location of the guidance terminal G, to the server SV via the network NW. The server SV then generates a route from the current location (the current location of the guidance terminal G) to the destination based on the destination information and location data transmitted from each guidance terminal G, so as to include as many of the guidance points as possible. Subsequently, the server SV transmits the route data indicating the generated route to the guidance terminal G that transmitted the destination information and location data via the network NW. As a result, the guidance terminal G that receives the route data guides the walking movement of the visually impaired person carrying the guidance terminal G, for example, by voice or tactile vibration, based on the received route data.

[0025] Next, the detailed configurations and operations of the point information transmission terminal T, the guidance terminal G, and the server SV, which constitute the navigation system SS of the embodiment, will be explained with reference to Figures 3 to 6.

[0026] (I) Detailed configuration and functions of the guidance point data recording system in the embodiment First, the detailed configuration and functions of the guidance point data recording system of the embodiment, including the point registration process, will be explained using Figures 2 to 4.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3(a), each of the location information transmission terminals T in the embodiment consists of a processing unit 20 comprising a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory), a non-volatile recording unit 21 comprising an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), an operation unit 22 comprising operation buttons, a microphone 23, a camera 24 comprising a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor, a sensor unit 25 comprising a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) or autonomous navigation system, a display 26 comprising a liquid crystal display, a speaker 27, and an interface 28.

[0028] In the above configuration, the recording unit 21 non-volatilely records programs, voice data, etc., necessary for the location information transmission terminal T to perform the functions that it should perform as part of the guidance location data recording system of the embodiment, and reads them out by the processing unit 20 as needed. The microphone 23, under the control of the processing unit 20, collects the sound of the person carrying the location information transmission terminal T speaking and outputs sound data corresponding to the collection result to the processing unit 20. Furthermore, the camera 24, under the control of the processing unit 20, outputs image data corresponding to the imaging result of the area around the location information transmission terminal T to the processing unit 20. Furthermore, the sensor unit 25, under the control of the processing unit 20, uses the GNSS, etc., to detect the current position, speed of movement, direction of travel, etc., of the location information transmission terminal T, generates detection data indicating the detection result, and outputs it to the processing unit 20.

[0029] Meanwhile, the display 26, under the control of the processing unit 20, displays images or maps necessary for the functions that the location information transmission terminal T is supposed to perform. The speaker 27, under the control of the processing unit 20, emits sounds necessary for the functions that the location information transmission terminal T is supposed to perform. Furthermore, the interface 28, under the control of the processing unit 20, controls the exchange of information or data necessary for the functions that the location information transmission terminal T is supposed to perform between the server SV and the network NW. Furthermore, when an instruction operation to the location information transmission terminal T is performed by its user, the operation unit 22 generates an operation signal corresponding to that instruction operation and outputs it to the processing unit 20. Based on these operation signals, the processing unit 20 controls the performance of the functions that the location information transmission terminal T is supposed to perform, while controlling each component of the location information transmission terminal T, such as the microphone 23, sensor unit 25, and interface 28.

[0030] Here, in the above function that the location information transmission terminal T should perform, we assume that the person carrying the location information transmission terminal T walks to the destination GL via roads R1 to R3, which are shown by dashed lines in Figure 3(b). At one corner of intersection CX1 where roads R1 and R2 intersect, there is a bakery BK that emits a fragrant aroma of freshly baked bread outside the shop, which is recognizable to a visually impaired person. At one corner of intersection CX2 where roads R2 and R3 intersect, there is a convenience store CS that emits a distinctive sound outside, which is recognizable to a visually impaired person. Furthermore, road R2 between intersections CX1 and CX2 is a gravel road that a visually impaired person can recognize by sound or the sensation in their feet or legs when walking on it, and road R3 from intersection CX2 to the destination GL is a slope that a visually impaired person can recognize by its incline when walking on it.

[0031] Then, when the person carrying the location information transmission terminal T walks toward the destination GL via roads R1 to R3, when passing through intersection CX1, the person makes the processing unit 20 recognize the start of the location registration process for the facilities and other features that are the target of the location registration process in this embodiment. At this time, the processing unit 20 recognizes the start of the location registration process when the person carrying the location registration process starts, for example, by speaking a pre-set term (a so-called wake word) indicating the start of the location registration process into the microphone 23, or by performing a start operation (for example, by operating a location registration button not shown on the operation unit 22) on the operation unit 22. In the following description, the speaking of the wake word or the start operation will simply be referred to as the "location registration start operation" by the person carrying the location. Then, after the location registration start operation when passing through intersection CX1, the person carrying the location registration process says, for example, "I will register this bakery." Next, when the user passes through road R2, after the location registration start operation, they say, for example, "Register this gravel road." Next, when the user passes through intersection CX2, after the location registration start operation, they say, for example, "Register this convenience store." Finally, when the user passes through road R3, after the location registration start operation, they say, for example, "Register this slope." At each location registration start operation and each subsequent utterance, microphone 23 collects the utterance, generates the corresponding sound data, and outputs it to processing unit 20 each time it is generated. Processing unit 20 then associates each sound data (excluding the voice data corresponding to the location registration start operation) with the detection data at each point in time (including the location data indicating the corresponding current location) and transmits it to server SV via interface 28 and network NW each time an utterance occurs (excluding the voice for the location registration start operation). As a result, the server SV records the pairs of sound data and detection data transmitted from the location information transmission terminal T in a mutually identifiable and non-volatile manner as the guidance location data PT, as described later, as detailed below.

[0032] Next, the detailed configuration and functions of the server SV of the above embodiment will be explained using Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4(a), the server SV of the embodiment consists of a processing unit 10 consisting of a CPU, ROM and RAM, etc., a non-volatile recording unit 11 consisting of an HDD or SSD, etc., an operation unit 12 consisting of a keyboard and mouse, etc., a display 13 consisting of a liquid crystal display, etc., and an interface 1.

[0033] Furthermore, the processing unit 10 is composed of a recording control unit 2 and a route generation unit 4. In this case, the recording control unit 2 and the route generation unit 4 may be realized by hardware logic circuits that constitute the processing unit 10, or they may be realized in software by the processing unit 10 reading and executing programs corresponding to the location information registration process of the embodiment and the guidance process of the embodiment described later from the recording unit 11. Interface 1 corresponds to an example of the data acquisition means 1, request acquisition means 3, and transmission means 5 of the embodiment, respectively, the recording control unit 2 corresponds to an example of the recording means 2 of the embodiment, and the route generation unit 4 corresponds to an example of the generation means 4 of the embodiment.

[0034] In the above configuration, the recording unit 11 non-volatilely records the above-mentioned programs and map data MP used to perform the functions of the guidance point data recording system and route generation / guidance system of the embodiment. As part of this map data MP, the guidance point data PT of the embodiment, corresponding to the above-mentioned sound data and detection data (including the location data of the point information transmission terminal T) transmitted from each point information transmission terminal T via the network NW and interface 1, is recorded.

[0035] At this time, the guidance point data PT is generated and recorded by the recording control unit 2 of the processing unit 10 using the sound data and detection data received via interface 1.

[0036] More specifically, if we explain using Figure 3(b), then using Figure 4(b), when the person carrying the location information transmission terminal T passes through intersection CX1 as exemplified in Figure 3(b), the recording control unit 2 uses the sound data corresponding to the voice utterance "Register this bakery" and the position data indicating the position of the location information transmission terminal T at the time of passing through, to record the guidance point data PT of the embodiment in the map data MP, which indicates a guidance point (a guidance point for guiding the walking movement of visually impaired persons; the same applies hereinafter) with the characteristic of being a "bakery" at the position indicated by the position data (for example, a position indicated by latitude / longitude), as exemplified in Figure 4(b). Furthermore, using the sound data corresponding to the voice message "Register this gravel road" transmitted when the user passed over the road R2 exemplified in Figure 3(b), and the position data indicating the position of the location information transmission terminal T at the time of passage, the recording control unit 2, while referring to the map data MP, records the guidance point data PT of the embodiment, which indicates a guidance point with the characteristic of "gravel road" at the position indicated by the position data, in the map data MP, associating it with the ID "A1" exemplified in Figure 4(b). In this case, the recording control unit 2 includes the position data indicating the positions of one endpoint (intersection CX1) and the other endpoint (intersection CX2) of road R2 as a gravel road in the guidance point data PT as position data indicating the position of road R2 (road R2 which is a "gravel road").

[0037] Furthermore, using the sound data corresponding to the utterance "Register this convenience store" transmitted when the mobile user passes through intersection CX2 as illustrated in Figure 3(b), and the position data indicating the location of the point information transmission terminal T at the time of passage, the recording control unit 2 records the guidance point data PT of an embodiment, which indicates a guidance point with the characteristic of "convenience store" at the location indicated by the position data, in association with the ID "A2" illustrated in Figure 4(b), in the map data MP. Furthermore, using the sound data corresponding to the utterance "Register this slope" transmitted when the mobile user passes through road R3 as illustrated in Figure 3(b), and the position data indicating the location of the point information transmission terminal T at the time of passage, the recording control unit 2, while referring to the map data MP, records the guidance point data PT of an embodiment, which indicates a guidance point with the characteristic of "slope" at the location indicated by the position data, in association with the ID "A3" illustrated in Figure 4(b), in the map data MP. In this case, the recording control unit 2 includes position data indicating the locations of one endpoint (intersection CX2) and the other endpoint (destination GL) of road R3 as a slope, as position data indicating the location of road R3 ("road R3 as a slope") in the guidance point data PT. Similarly, the recording control unit 2 generates guidance point data PT based on the sound data and detection data transmitted from the point information transmission terminal T and records it in the map data MP.

[0038] Next, the route generation unit 4, as the route generation / guidance system of the embodiment described later, generates a route corresponding to the route data using the guidance point data PT, based on the route data transmission request from the guidance device G of the embodiment described later. The processing unit 10 then transmits the route data corresponding to the generated route to the guidance device G that sent the transmission request via interface 1 and network NW. The administrator of the server SV inputs instructions and other information necessary for the server SV processing as described above using the operation unit 12. The operation unit 12 then generates an instruction signal corresponding to the instructions and outputs it to the processing unit 10. The processing unit 10 (record control unit 2 and route generation unit 4) then comprehensively controls the server SV processing based on the instruction signal. At this time, information to be presented to the administrator is presented to the administrator, for example, by displaying an image using the display 13.

[0039] (II) Detailed configuration and functions of the route generation / guidance system in the embodiment. Next, the detailed configuration and functions of the route generation / guidance system in this embodiment will be explained using Figures 4 to 6.

[0040] First, each of the guidance terminals G in the embodiment of the above route generation / guidance system is composed of a processing unit 30 consisting of a CPU, ROM and RAM, etc., a non-volatile recording unit 31 consisting of an HDD or SSD, etc., an operation unit 32 consisting of operation buttons, etc., a microphone 33, a camera 34 consisting of a CCD or CMOS image sensor, etc., a sensor unit 35 constituting a GNSS system or autonomous navigation system, etc., a display 36 consisting of a liquid crystal display, etc., a speaker 37, and an interface 38.

[0041] Furthermore, the processing unit 30 is composed of a voice guidance unit 30A and a guidance control unit 30B. In this case, the voice guidance unit 30A and the guidance control unit 30B may be implemented by hardware logic circuits that constitute the processing unit 30, or they may be implemented in software by the processing unit 30 reading and executing a program corresponding to the guidance processing as a route generation / guidance system in this embodiment from the recording unit 31.

[0042] In the above configuration, the recording unit 31 non-volatilely records programs, audio data, etc., necessary for the guidance terminal G to perform the functions that it should perform as part of the route generation / guidance system of the embodiment, and reads them out by the processing unit 30 as needed. The sensor unit 35, under the control of the processing unit 30, uses the GNSS, etc., to detect the current position, speed, and direction of travel of the guidance terminal G, and generates detection data indicating the detection results, which is output to the processing unit 30. Furthermore, the speaker 37, under the control of the processing unit 30, emits audio such as guidance voices necessary for the functions that the guidance terminal G should perform. Furthermore, the microphone 33, under the control of the processing unit 30, collects sounds from the vicinity of the guidance terminal G, etc., and outputs audio data corresponding to the collected sound results to the processing unit 30. Furthermore, the camera 34, under the control of the processing unit 30, outputs image data corresponding to, for example, the imaging results of the vicinity of the guidance terminal G to the processing unit 30.

[0043] Meanwhile, the display 36, under the control of the processing unit 30, displays images or maps necessary for the functions that the guidance terminal G is supposed to perform. Furthermore, the interface 38, under the control of the processing unit 30, controls the exchange of information or data necessary for the functions that the guidance terminal G is supposed to perform between the server SV and the network NW. Moreover, the operation unit 32 generates an operation signal corresponding to the instruction operation performed by a visually impaired person carrying the guidance terminal G and outputs it to the processing unit 30. In this way, the processing unit 30 controls the performance of the functions that the guidance terminal G is supposed to perform, while controlling each component of the guidance terminal G, such as the sensor unit 35, speaker 37, and interface 38.

[0044] Here, the function of the guidance processing as a route generation / guidance system of this embodiment, which is executed mainly by the guidance terminal G and the route generation unit 4 of the server SV, will be explained using Figure 5(b) as an example, with the guidance point data PT recorded using the guidance point data recording system of this embodiment being exemplified in Figure 4(b), and the case in which a visually impaired person carrying the guidance terminal G walks to the destination GL via intersections CX1 and CX2 exemplified in Figure 3(b).

[0045] In other words, suppose a visually impaired person carrying a guidance device G is at a starting point ST as illustrated in Figure 5(b), and at that location operates the control unit 32 of the guidance terminal G to request guidance for walking from the starting point ST to the destination GL (as a visually impaired person). In this case, the guidance control unit 30B generates a request to transmit the above route data from the starting point ST to the destination GL, adds identification information to distinguish the guidance terminal G from other guidance terminals G, and transmits it to the server SV via the interface 38 and the network NW. As a result, the route generation unit 4 of the server SV (see Figure 4(a)) refers to the guidance point data PT illustrated in Figure 4(b) and generates route data showing route R (see Figure 5(b)) via road R1 (starting point ST) → intersection CX1 → road R2 → intersection CX2 → road R3 → destination GL as illustrated in Figure 3(b). The route data at this time includes location data and characteristic data corresponding to the intersection CX1, the road R2, the intersection CX2, and the road R3 (see Figure 4(b)). The route data is then transmitted by the processing unit 10 to the guidance device G via interface 1 and the network NW, using the identification information of the guidance terminal G that sent the transmission request as a clue.

[0046] Next, the guidance control unit 30B and voice guidance unit 30A of the guidance terminal G, which have received the above route data via the network NW and interface 38, use the bakery BK, road R2, convenience store CS, and road R3 as guidance points, respectively, to guide the walking movement of the visually impaired person carrying the guidance terminal G.

[0047] More specifically, first, based on the detection data from the sensor unit 35, the guidance control unit 30B, at the moment when the visually impaired person carrying the guidance terminal G approaches intersection CX1 (i.e., at the moment when the visually impaired person begins to smell bread), broadcasts a guidance voice message, such as "Turn left at the intersection ahead where the bakery is," through the speaker 37 of the voice guidance unit 30A. After the visually impaired person turns left at intersection CX1 in accordance with the guidance voice message, the guidance control unit 30B, based on the detection data from the sensor unit 35, then broadcasts a guidance voice message, such as "Continue straight along the gravel road for a while," through the speaker 37 of the voice guidance unit 30A, at the moment when the visually impaired person carrying the guidance terminal G begins walking along road R2 (i.e., at the moment when they sense that it is a gravel road). Next, when the visually impaired person is walking along road R2 in accordance with the guidance voice and approaches intersection CX2 (i.e., when the visually impaired person begins to hear sounds from convenience store CS), the voice guidance unit 30A emits a guidance voice message such as "Turn right at the intersection ahead where the convenience store is located" through speaker 37. After the visually impaired person turns right at intersection CX2 in accordance with the guidance voice, the guidance control unit 30B, based on the detection data from sensor unit 35, emits a guidance voice message such as "You will reach your destination when you go up the hill" through speaker 37 of the voice guidance unit 30A when the visually impaired person carrying the guidance terminal G begins walking along road R3 (i.e., when they sense that they are on a slope). Through this series of guidance voices, the visually impaired person carrying the guidance terminal G can receive guidance on walking along route R with landmarks that are easy for them to recognize as guide points.

[0048] Here, we compare the case of guiding a visually impaired person walking from a starting point to a destination using the navigation system SS of the embodiment, which includes the guidance point data recording system and the route generation / guidance system of the embodiment, with the case of guiding a sighted person traveling the same distance from a starting point to a destination, as illustrated in Figure 6.

[0049] In other words, when a person with normal physical ability walks from a starting point ST to a destination GL, as illustrated in Figure 6, the guidance process is performed via the shortest route R', illustrated by a dashed line in Figure 6. In contrast, when a visually impaired person walks from the same starting point ST to a destination GL using the navigation system SS of the above embodiment, they are guided to walk along a route R, shown by a dashed line in Figure 6 (i.e., a slightly longer route R that is safer for the visually impaired, but different from the shortest route R'), which passes through a bakery BK that smells of bread, an intersection with a traffic light SG that has an audio assistance function, and a convenience store CS that makes a distinctive sound (see the white arrow in Figure 6).

[0050] As described above, the navigation system SS of the embodiment, which includes the guidance point data recording system and the route generation / guidance system of the embodiment, records guidance point data PT for visually impaired persons in map data MP based on sound data indicating guidance points that can be recognized by visually impaired persons, and location data indicating the location of said guidance points. Then, in response to a request to transmit route data to the destination GL, it generates a route that includes guidance points for visually impaired persons and transmits the route data indicating the generated route to the guidance terminal G, which is the source of the transmission request. Therefore, a route that includes guidance points that can be recognized by visually impaired persons can be shared by multiple people, and visually impaired persons can be safely guided using that route.

[0051] Furthermore, the guidance point data PT is based on sound data corresponding to the spoken content of a visually impaired or sighted person (i.e., the person carrying the device) who speaks about the guidance point, and information (features) indicating the content of the guidance point is recorded in the map data MP in association with location data. Therefore, simply by the person carrying the location information transmission terminal T speaking about a guidance point that a visually impaired person can recognize, information indicating a guidance point for the visually impaired can be recorded in the map data MP.

[0052] Furthermore, if a facility or other location that is a guide point indicated by the guide point data PT emits at least one of the sounds or smells that a visually impaired person can recognize to the outside, information indicating that guide point in a way that is easily recognizable to a visually impaired person can be recorded in the map data MP.

[0053] Furthermore, since the location data acquired along with the sound data corresponding to the guidance point indicates the location of the person who spoke about the guidance point at the time of speaking (see Figure 3(b)), the location of the guidance point for the visually impaired can be accurately recorded in the map data MP based on the location of the speaker who actually visited the guidance point.

[0054] Furthermore, if the user of the location information transmission terminal T is visually impaired, they can record and share truly useful navigation locations for visually impaired individuals in the map data MP, based on their experience.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the guidance point data recording system of the embodiment, guidance point data PT for visually impaired persons is recorded in map data MP based on sound data indicating guidance points that can be recognized by visually impaired persons, and location data indicating the location of said guidance points. Therefore, it is possible to record map data MP for sharing a route that includes guidance points that can be recognized even by visually impaired persons with multiple people.

[0056] Furthermore, according to the route generation / guidance system of the embodiment, a route is generated that includes guidance points for visually impaired persons recorded in map data MP, based on sound data indicating guidance points that can be recognized by visually impaired persons, and location data indicating the location of said guidance points. The route data indicating the generated route is then transmitted to the guidance terminal G, which is the source of the route data transmission request. Thus, a route that includes guidance points that can be recognized by visually impaired persons can be shared by multiple people, and visually impaired persons can be safely guided using that route.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the degree of visual impairment of the visually impaired person is not taken into consideration. However, when transmitting sound data and detection data from the location information transmission terminal T, it may be configured to transmit data with distinctions for applicable degrees of visual impairment (for example, distinctions for low vision and blindness). In this case, the guidance location data recorded on the server SV will correspond to the degree of visual impairment, and thus, a route including guidance locations corresponding to the degree of visual impairment can be shared by multiple people, and safe guidance can be provided using that route according to the degree of visual impairment.

[0058] Furthermore, programs corresponding to the functions of the guidance point data recording system and the route generation / guidance system of the embodiment can be recorded on a recording medium such as an optical disc or hard disk, or obtained via a network such as the Internet, and then read and executed on a general-purpose microcomputer, etc., thereby allowing the microcomputer, etc. to function as the processing unit 10, processing unit 20, or processing unit 30 according to the embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1. Data acquisition means (interface) 2. Recording means (recording control unit) 3 Request acquisition means 4. Generation means (root generation unit) 5. Transmission means T, T1, T2, Tn Location Information Transmission Terminals G, G1, G2, Gm Information Terminals PT Guide Point Data SS Navigation System SV Server BK Bakery CS Convenience Store R1, R2, R3 roads ST Departure Point GL destination

Claims

[Claim 1] A data acquisition means for acquiring feature data indicating features recognizable by visually impaired persons, and location data indicating the location of said features. A recording means for recording guide points for visually impaired persons in map data based on the acquired feature data and location data, A request acquisition means for acquiring a request to transmit route data indicating the route to the destination, A generation means that responds to the acquired transmission request and generates a route that includes the guide points for the visually impaired, A transmission means that transmits the route data indicating the generated route to the sender of the transmission request, A route data processing device characterized by comprising:

Images