System and method for supporting people who require assistance

Abstract

To provide a system that reduces errors by station staff and other caregivers in grasping the assistance needs of a carereceiver and improves the quality of assistance services.SOLUTION: A data management server includes an identification sign reading device that reads an identification sign, a user information database in which registered information of a user is stored, a recording device that records a recording video, and a HUB. The HUB collates read tag information to the user information database and transmits matched registration information and the recording video. Further, a carereceiver support system includes the data management server, an imaging apparatus, an operation terminal, and a monitor. The imaging apparatus captures the identification sign and the recording video and the monitor projects the registered information and the recording video that have been collated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for supporting a person requiring assistance and a method for supporting a person requiring assistance using the system. [Background technology]

[0002] At stations, people with disabilities and the elderly need assistance when moving between platforms, ticket gates, stairs, escalators, elevators, etc., and sometimes assistance is necessary to ensure safety.

[0003] In addition to physical support when traveling, it is anticipated that people with disabilities or the elderly may find it difficult to look up information on their own, such as train destinations, transfer points, exits, or timetables, and will need assistance from station staff.

[0004] Currently, station staff are not always able to grasp and respond to such needs for assistance in a timely manner. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which surveillance cameras are installed in stations, and the behavior of users, such as the movement of a white cane, is processed in the images captured by the cameras to determine whether or not assistance is required. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 181609 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to detect the white cane of a disabled person from an image and then perform image analysis of the behavior of the white cane within a certain period of time, and depending on the accuracy of the image processing, there is a possibility of errors such as false detection or erroneous judgment occurring.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system that reduces errors made by station staff and other caregivers when understanding the assistance needs of people requiring assistance, thereby improving the quality of assistance services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, one representative support system for people requiring assistance of the present invention comprises an identification sign reading device that reads an identification sign from an image, a user information database in which user registration information is stored, a recording device that records the image, and a control device, and the control device compares the identification sign information resulting from the identification sign reading by the identification sign reading device with the registration information registered in the user information database, and transmits the matched registration information and the recorded image recorded on the recording device. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, errors that arise when a station attendant or other caregiver grasps the assistance needs of a person requiring assistance can be reduced, thereby improving the quality of assistance services. Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the description of the following embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system diagram according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the data management server 100. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the steps of the method for supporting a person requiring assistance in this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, in the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0012] In this disclosure, users of the services using the system of the present invention are not particularly limited, but are envisioned to be people who require assistance on a daily basis (hereinafter referred to as "people requiring assistance"), such as disabled people or elderly people who use white canes or wheelchairs.

[0013] 1 is a system diagram according to this embodiment. When a user holds an identification sign 103 displayed on a mobile product 102 over an imaging device 101 installed in a station or the like, it captures the image. The imaging device 101 and data management server 100 are connected by a wired or wireless communication network, and the captured image is sent to the data management server 100 for subsequent processing. The data management server 100 and station office 104 are also connected by a wired or wireless communication network, and the processed information is sent to an operation terminal 105 and a monitor 106 installed in the office 104. The data management server 100 may be of a centralized type installed in one location, or of a distributed type in which a server is installed at each station and connected to a network.

[0014] The portable product 102 is not particularly limited as long as it is a product that the user carries with them when going out. The identification sign 103 is not particularly limited as long as the image of the identification sign can be easily and reliably read by a general sign reading application or the like.

[0015] A typical example of a combination of the portable product 102 and the identification mark 103 is a QR code or a barcode (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "code") that is practically displayed on the screen of a smartphone. A code that is affixed to a card or the like is also acceptable. Conceptually, a code that is affixed to a walking stick is also conceivable. Hereinafter, when it is said that the identification mark 103 is displayed on the portable product 102, this includes the case where it is displayed on a screen and the case where it is affixed to an object.

[0016] Typically, multiple imaging devices 101 are installed, and it is assumed that existing surveillance cameras installed near platforms, ticket gates, stairs, escalators, elevators, etc. within a station will be used. When there are no existing cameras near a place where assistance is highly needed, a new dedicated imaging device 101 may be installed.

[0017] Also, to make it easier for users to recognize the location of the imaging device 101, guide signs can be provided within the installation environment of the system to guide the user to the position and orientation of the mobile product 102. When installing a new dedicated imaging device 101, in addition to providing guide signs, it is necessary to make the location easy for users to find.

[0018] The distance between the user and the imaging device 101 is not particularly limited as long as the imaging device 101 can basically capture an image of the identification sign 103 held up by the user and read it with an app or the like, but is preferably within 3 m, for example. The installation location of the imaging device 101 and the location of the guide sign can be determined with this point in mind. If there are circumstances in which it is not possible to install the imaging device 101 close to the user, this can be addressed by promoting the use of an identification sign 103 such as a color barcode, which has a long reading distance (up to about 50 m).

[0019] Next, the processing after the image from the imaging device 101 is transmitted to the data management server 100 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the data management server 100.

[0020] The data management server 100 includes a HUB 201 , a user information database 202 , an identification label reader 203 , a recording device 204 , and a control device 205 . The HUB 201 is a relay device that connects a user information database 202 , an identification label reader 203 , a recording device 204 , a control device 205 , and the office 104 .

[0021] In the user information database 202, the user's attribute information and assistance-related information are registered in advance as registration information, and are stored together with tag information indicating the storage destination in the database. The attribute information includes at least the user's name and contact information. The contact information includes a phone number, SMS, email address, etc., and if the mobile product 102 is a smartphone, it is preferable that the contact information is connected to the smartphone. The assistance-related information includes relevant information that is useful for smooth assistance, such as information on disabilities such as visual impairment and difficulty in walking, and types of welfare equipment normally used such as a white cane or wheelchair. In addition, registered information can be updated or changed at any time upon request by the user.

[0022] The identification label reader 203 reads the identification label 103 with an application or the like, and obtains identification label information (hereinafter referred to as "read tag information") that specifies the storage destination of the registered information in the user information database 202, such as a URL. The read tag information is collated by the control device 205 with the tag information of each piece of registered information in the user information database 202. The collated registered information is transmitted from the control device 205 to the office 104 via the HUB 201.

[0023] The recording device 204 records the video captured by the imaging device 101 for a predetermined time (hereinafter, the recorded video is referred to as "recorded video"). It is preferable that the recording device 204 is provided separately from a recording device that constantly records in the monitoring system of the station premises or the platform. The recording device 204 can record information related to the shooting such as the position of the imaging device and the shooting direction in addition to the video of the user. In addition, the predetermined time is preferably about 10 seconds starting from the time when the identification sign reader 203 reads the identification sign 103 (hereinafter, referred to as "reading time") in order to include the video of the person requiring assistance, and may be about 10 seconds before and after the time when the identification sign reader 203 reads the identification sign 103. The recorded video of about 10 seconds is transmitted to the office 104 via the HUB 201 under the control of the control device 205 together with the registration information.

[0024] The control device 205 controls the user information database 202, the identification label reading device 203, the recording device 204, and the office 104 via the HUB 201. As described above, the control device 205 compares the read tag information with the tag information of each piece of registered information in the user information database 202, and transmits the matched registered information to the office 104. The control device 205 also transmits the recorded video together with the registered information to the office 104, and causes the monitor 106 in the office 104 to display them.

[0025] In the office 104, the user's registration information and recorded video transmitted from the HUB 201 are displayed on the monitor 106. The recorded video can also be repeatedly played back and displayed on the monitor 106 until assistance to the user is completed. Furthermore, the station staff can operate the information transmitted from the HUB 201 through the operation terminal 105, or transmit information to the control device 205 via the HUB 201. For example, when assistance to the user is completed, the station staff can input a command to complete the work into the operation terminal 105, and end the playback of the recorded video on the monitor 106.

[0026] <Effects> According to this embodiment, since the identification sign 103 that can be easily and reliably read by a general application such as a QR code or a barcode is used, errors can be reduced compared to a system that performs image processing to determine whether or not assistance is required. In addition, since the assistant can provide assistance after checking the registered information registered in advance and the recorded video of the user at the site where the user is present, the quality of the assistance service is improved. In other words, the assistant such as a station staff can provide assistance after recognizing the appearance, position, and type of assistance required of the person requiring assistance, and can provide the necessary assistance quickly. Furthermore, since the imaging device 101 of the monitoring system in the station premises and on the platform can be used, the cost of developing this system can be reduced.

[0027] [Support methods] Next, a method of supporting a person requiring assistance using the above-mentioned support system for a person requiring assistance will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the steps of the method of supporting a person requiring assistance in this embodiment. The support flow will be described below for each step. Components that are the same or equivalent to those in the support system according to the above-mentioned embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be simplified or omitted.

[0028] <Start> First, the user holds an identification label 103 displayed on a mobile product 102 over an imaging device 101 in a station or the like to request assistance, and then the support flow begins.

[0029] <Step 1> In S1, the identification label reader 203 reads the identification label 103 using an application or the like to obtain the read tag information.

[0030] <Step 2> In S2, the recording device 204 records the video (recorded video) of the scene captured by the imaging device 101 for a predetermined time (for example, about 10 seconds) from the read time.

[0031] <Step 3> In S3, the read tag information is collated with the tag information in the user information database 202.

[0032] <Step 4> In S4, if the read tag information exists in the user information database 202 (matching is performed), the process proceeds to S5, and if the read tag information does not exist (matching is not performed), the process proceeds to the end.

[0033] <Step 5> In S5, the recorded video and the user's registration information are displayed on the monitor 106 in the office 104.

[0034] <Step 6> In S6, it is determined whether or not a command to complete the assistance work has been issued by a station staff member or other caregiver. If a command to complete the assistance work has been issued, the series of operations ends. If no command to complete the assistance work is issued, the operation continues at step S5. A command to complete the assistance work can also be issued by the station staff member inputting a command operation, such as pressing a button, on the operation terminal 105. In addition, it is also possible to set the operation to automatically end after a predetermined time has elapsed, for example.

[0035] [Support method variation 1] In S5, when the station staff checks the recorded video and the registered information on the monitor 106, they may first respond to the registered user's smartphone from the office 104 and then go to assist the user. By adopting such a support method, the user's anxiety while waiting for assistance can be relieved. When registering, such an option can be presented to the user, and the user can be asked to enter a phone number that can be connected to the smartphone in the contact information.

[0036] [Support method variation 2] The primary purpose of the assistance service of the present invention is to improve services for users who have registered in advance, but it is also possible to provide unregistered users with services as similar as possible to those provided to registered users as long as they have assistance needs.

[0037] For example, a railway company or the like could set up a site for unregistered passengers on its homepage, and when they enter a phone number or email address, they could obtain a QR code or the like for unregistered passengers on the screen. Then, by holding a smartphone over the code, even if a match with the user information database 202 cannot be made in S4, the process proceeds to S5, where only the recorded video is displayed on the monitor 106, and station staff can respond by phone or email, or go to provide assistance depending on the situation.

[0038] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0039] For example, in this embodiment, the assistance services provided by station staff mainly within train stations have been described, but the present invention can be applied to any facility where there is a daily need for assistance from visitors, such as a hospital or public facility, not limited to train stations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 100: data management server, 101: imaging device, 102: mobile product, 103: identification sign, 104: office, 105: operation terminal, 106: Monitor, 201: HUB, 202: User information database, 203: identification mark reading device, 204: recording device, 205: control device

Claims

1. The system includes an identification sign reading device that reads an identification sign from an image, a user information database that stores registration information of a user who requires assistance, a recording device that records the image, and a control device. The registration information includes at least attribute information of the user who requires assistance and assistance-related information that is useful for smoothly providing assistance, The control device compares the identification sign information resulting from the identification sign reading by the identification sign reading device with the registration information registered in the user information database, and transmits the matched registration information to a monitor together with the recorded video recorded by the recording device. This is a support system for people requiring assistance.

2. The support system for persons requiring assistance according to claim 1 , wherein the identification mark is an identification mark displayed on a portable product.

3. The support system for persons requiring assistance according to claim 2 , wherein the identification mark displayed on the portable product is a QR code displayed on a smartphone.

4. Further comprising an imaging device and the monitor, the imaging device captures the identification sign and the image; 4. The support system for persons requiring assistance according to claim 1, wherein the monitor displays the matched registration information and the recorded video.

5. (1) an identification mark reader reads an identification mark and obtains read tag information; (2) a recording device recording video; (3) checking the read tag information against a user information database; (4) if a match is found, displaying the recorded video in the recording device and the user's registered information on a monitor, and if a match is not found, determining to end the process; (5) displaying the recorded video and the user's registration information on a monitor; (6) a step of determining whether or not the display of the recorded image and the registered information of the user on the monitor is to be maintained when a command to complete the assistance work is received, and whether or not the display of the recorded image and the registered information of the user is to be maintained when a command to complete the assistance work is received; A method for supporting a person requiring assistance.

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