Guide device with voice generator that utilizes handrails

Abstract

To alert visually impaired pedestrians and those walking in poor visibility conditions, we provide a guidance device with an audio guidance system that utilizes handrails installed on stairs and other surfaces. [Solution] This is a guidance device with a voice generator integrated with a pedestrian recognition sensor, which is installed on the handrail at the landing or end of stairs or ramps with steps, especially at the position of the third step remaining. It is a simple handrail-mounted guidance device that informs visually impaired people or pedestrians in situations with poor visibility of the number of remaining steps by sound, such as a melody.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a guiding device for pedestrians using handrails provided on stairs or the like.

Background Art

[0002] Pedestrians with visual impairments or pedestrians in situations with poor visibility may not know where the end of the stairs is on an inclined road with steps such as stairs, and may trip or take an empty step, which may cause falling or tumbling accidents. Therefore, in order to prompt pedestrians to pay attention, there is a technique of providing a position indicator that can be known in advance by providing tactile protrusions on the handrail in front of the landing or in front of the end of the stairs.

[0003]

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Even if tactile protrusions (including Braille) for visually impaired persons are provided on handrails such as stairs, it is still difficult to know where the end of the stairs is. The same applies to pedestrians in situations with poor visibility such as at night or in fog. Also, guiding the landing or the end of the stairs has a high effect of prompting attention when there are three steps left (or four steps left). Therefore, it is desired to provide more effective guidance at the position corresponding to the third step left (or the fourth step left) of the stairs or the like. The remaining steps refer to the steps in front of the landing or the end of the stairs such as stairs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Therefore, this invention is characterized by providing a compact device that emits melodies or voices with a sensor on the handrail of the third (or fourth) step remaining on a landing or end of a staircase, thereby specifically informing pedestrians of the remaining three (or four) steps.

[0007] A touch sensor is preferred for use in this invention. A touch sensor is a sensor that detects when a person touches or approaches it. Furthermore, a capacitive touch sensor is preferred because it can be set to detect not only direct physical contact but also proximity, allowing it to recognize that a touch has occurred. It can also detect touches at the location in question, possesses flexibility to react even on curved surfaces, and is water-resistant.

[0008] For example, using a touch sensor and melody sound, when a pedestrian touches the touch sensor on the handrail at the third step from the top or slightly before, a short melody phrase will immediately play. Examples include "tap tap tap," "hey hey ho," "run run run," "piro piro piro piro," and countless others. The melody sound should repeat two to three times before ending. The touch sensor and sound generator should be compact (small and unobtrusive), made with minimal parts, and inexpensive, and closely attached to the handrail. Parts may even be selected from disassembled parts of other products. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this invention, pedestrians are directly informed of the remaining steps by voice at the third (or fourth) step, which is the point where the risk of falling is highest, thus directing their attention at the most effective moment (the number of remaining steps). Furthermore, the voice alerts not only visually impaired pedestrians but also those descending stairs at night or in fog where visibility is insufficient. Moreover, it can be installed and used on indoor staircases during power outages that may occur during disasters. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]This diagram illustrates the mounting of the sensor / sound generating device of this invention to a handrail. The device has a curved surface that conforms to the shape of the handrail. It is designed to be a compact device. [Figure 2] A diagram illustrating the configuration of the guidance device with a sensor and sound generator according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] When a pedestrian descends stairs or similar structures while following the handrail, if their hand touches a sensor (touch sensor) at the third step remaining, or if their hand passes very close to it (in the case of a proximity non-contact sensor), a pre-programmed melody or voice will be emitted from the voice generator. For example, when the pedestrian is at the third step remaining, a short melody will be emitted twice in a row. If a voice is used, a specific phrase such as "third step remaining" may be emitted. The former is also acceptable due to the simplicity of the device. Figure 1 shows a stair railing with a sensor and voice-generating guidance device attached. The device is positioned so that when a pedestrian reaches the third step from the top, their hand or other body part makes contact (including near contact) with the sensor on the railing. The guidance device should be compact and have a curved surface that conforms to the shape of the railing. Figure 2 is an operational diagram (configuration diagram) of the guidance device equipped with sensors and a voice generator. [Examples]

[0012] Taking touch sensor melodies as an example, when a pedestrian touches (or comes very close to touch) the touch sensor on the handrail at or just before the third step, a short melody phrase will immediately play twice. There are countless examples, such as "Tap tap tap," "Hey hey ho," "Run run run," "Pirolo pirolo pirolo," etc. Alternatively, it could specifically announce "Three steps to go." The touch sensor and sound generator should be compact (small and unobtrusive), made with minimal parts, and inexpensive, and closely attached to the handrail.

Claims

1. A guidance device characterized by having a sensor that recognizes pedestrians and a device that emits sound based on that sensor, which is installed at the handrail position corresponding to the 3rd or 4th step on the landing or the last step before the end of a staircase or ramp with steps.

2. The guide device according to claim 1, wherein the remaining step in the foreground is the third step remaining, and the sensor is a touch sensor.

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