Program, transfer guide device, and transfer guide method

Abstract

To provide a program, a transfer guide device, and a transfer guide method capable of performing transfer guidance appropriately even when arrival time of a train in which an in-car announcement is made is varied.SOLUTION: A computer of a transfer guide device 100 functions as: first acquisition means (an operation unit 150) acquiring starting station information D8 and terminal station information D9; retrieval means (a control unit 110) retrieving a transfer guidance candidate station based on the stating station information D8 and the terminal station information D9 acquired by the first acquisition means; second acquisition means (an operation unit 150) acquiring transfer guidance object station information D12; extraction means (a control unit 110) extracting a transfer guidance object train when it is determined that an operation train reaches a predetermined position before the transfer guidance object station; and output control means (a control unit 110) making a voice output unit 180 output information related to the transfer guidance object train to a vehicle system 300.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a transfer guidance device, and a transfer guidance method.

Background Art

[0002] In a train, at a predetermined timing such as immediately after departure from a station or immediately before stopping at a station, for example, in-car announcements are made for passengers about boarding manners or information such as the scheduled arrival time at each station. Conventionally, such in-car announcements in a train have been made orally by a train crew member speaking into a microphone at a predetermined timing for making in-car announcements. However, making such oral announcements one by one has been a great burden on the crew members. Also, when playing pre-recorded voices, there is no need for the crew member to make oral announcements. However, in this case as well, the reduction of the crew member's burden has not been sufficient in terms of the crew member judging the timing of the announcement and manually operating the in-train equipment.

[0003] Therefore, a system is known in which a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal installed with a dedicated program is connected to a train system related to in-car announcements, and in-car announcements can be automatically played in the train at a predetermined timing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] For the convenience of passengers, train announcements may also include transfer information, i.e., information about trains that can be transferred to at a station, just before the train stops at that station.

[0006] In such cases, for each line and direction of travel (up or down line, etc.), the nearest train (the train with the shortest waiting time) among the trains that can be used for transfer guidance is usually selected as the train that should be the subject of transfer guidance, and information about that train's departure time is broadcast.However, the train that should be the subject of such transfer guidance depends on the arrival time at the station of the train that is making the in-car announcement, so if the arrival time changes because the train making the in-car announcement is delayed, etc., it is necessary to take such fluctuations in arrival time into account and extract the nearest train from the trains that can actually be used for transfer, and broadcast information about that train.

[0007] Therefore, conventional systems, which were designed to broadcast pre-prepared text at specified times, were unable to handle such transfer information broadcasts, and even when in-car announcements were automated, transfer information broadcasts usually had to be made verbally by the crew, which did not sufficiently reduce the burden on the crew regarding in-car announcements.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a program, a transfer guidance device, and a transfer guidance method that enable appropriate transfer guidance to be provided even when there is a change in the arrival time of a train that makes an in-car announcement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 provides a program, A mobile computer, A first acquisition means for acquiring information related to a starting station and a terminal station of a train on which a crew member using the mobile terminal is on duty; a search means for searching for transfer guide candidate stations that are candidate stations for providing transfer guidance based on the information relating to the starting station and the terminal station acquired by the first acquisition means; A second acquisition means for acquiring information related to a transfer guide target station that is a target station for which transfer guidance is performed and selected from the transfer guide candidate stations; an extraction means for extracting a transfer guide target train at the transfer guide target station when it is determined that the train being served has reached a predetermined position in front of the transfer guide target station; an output control means for causing an output unit to output information related to the transfer guide target train to the outside; Function as.

[0010] The invention described in claim 2 is the program described in claim 1, The output control means generates broadcast audio data, which is audio data including information relating to the departure time of the train that is the subject of the transfer guide, and causes the output unit to output the broadcast audio data.

[0011] The invention described in claim 3 is the program described in claim 1, The extraction means is characterized by calculating a transfer time, which is the time when passengers of the train served by the passenger can transfer at the station served by the transfer guide, and extracting trains other than the train served by the passenger that depart from the station served by the transfer guide after the transfer time.

[0012] The invention described in claim 4 is the program described in claim 3, The extraction means calculates the transfer time by adding the travel time from the specified location to the station that is the target of transfer guidance to the time when it is determined that the train has reached the specified location, and further adding the transfer time at the station that is the target of transfer guidance.

[0013] The invention described in claim 5 is the program described in claim 4, The transfer time is a time set for each train line departing from the transfer guide target station.

[0014] The invention described in claim 6 is the program described in claim 3, The extraction means is characterized in that it extracts, for each line and direction of travel, trains that depart from the station that is the subject of transfer guidance at a time that is closest to the transfer possible time after the transfer possible time from timetable data, which is data in which information related to the departure times of trains departing from the station that is the subject of transfer guidance is stored at least for each line and direction of travel.

[0015] The invention described in claim 7 is the program described in claim 6, The extraction means is characterized in that it adds the train delay time to the departure time related to the timetable data, and then extracts, for each line and direction of travel, a train that departs from the station that is the subject of the transfer guide at a time that is closest to the transfer available time after the transfer available time.

[0016] The invention described in claim 8 is the program described in claim 6, The computer a determination means for determining whether or not the last train has departed from the transfer guide target station for each line and direction of travel of the train departing from the transfer guide target station; It further functions as The extraction means is characterized in that, for each line and direction of travel, it extracts trains that depart from the station subject to transfer guidance at a time that is closest to the transfer available time after the transfer available time, excluding trains that have the same line and direction of travel as the last train that the determination means has determined to have departed from the station subject to transfer guidance.

[0017] The invention described in claim 9 is a program according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The extraction means is characterized in that it extracts trains on the same route and in the same direction as the train to be transferred as the train to be transferred only when the station to be transferred as the terminal station of the train to be transferred.

[0018] The invention described in claim 10 is a program according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The computer A third acquisition means for acquiring information related to the start of operation of the train; A fourth acquisition means for acquiring information related to the end of operation of the train; It further functions as The extraction means is characterized in that it extracts the trains that are the subject of transfer guidance in the background after the third acquisition means acquires information regarding the start of operation of the train served by the train and before the fourth acquisition means acquires information regarding the end of operation of the train served by the train.

[0019] The invention described in claim 11 is a transfer guide device, a first acquisition means for acquiring information relating to a starting station and a terminal station of a train; A search means for searching for transfer guide candidate stations that are candidate stations for transfer guidance based on the information related to the starting station and the terminal station acquired by the first acquisition means; A second acquisition means for acquiring information related to a transfer guide target station that is a target station for which transfer guidance is performed and selected from the transfer guide candidate stations; an extraction means for extracting a train that is a target of transfer guidance at the target station of transfer guidance when it is determined that the train has reached a predetermined position in front of the target station of transfer guidance; an output control means for causing an output unit to output information related to the transfer guide target train to the outside; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0020] The invention described in claim 12 is The transfer information device executes Transfer information method And, a first acquisition step of acquiring information relating to a starting station and a terminal station of a train; a search step of searching for transfer guide candidate stations that are candidate stations for providing transfer guidance based on the information related to the starting station and the terminal station acquired in the first acquisition step; A second acquisition step of acquiring information related to a transfer guide target station that is a target station for which transfer guidance is performed and selected from the transfer guide candidate stations; an extraction step of extracting a train that is a target of transfer guidance at the target station of transfer guidance when it is determined that the train has reached a predetermined position in front of the target station of transfer guidance; an output control step of causing an output unit to output information related to the transfer guide target train to an outside; The present invention is characterized by comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a program, a transfer guidance device, and a transfer guidance method that enable appropriate transfer guidance to be provided even when there is a change in the arrival time of a train that makes in-car announcements. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a transfer guide device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations before a train starts running in the transfer guidance device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the transfer guidance device according to the embodiment while a train is in operation. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pre-service screen of the transfer guidance device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen during operation of the transfer information device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] A transfer information device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0024] [First Configuration Explanation] The transfer information device 100 is a device for automatically making announcements on board a train by connecting to an in-car announcement system installed on the train, and as shown in FIG. 1, is configured with a control unit 110, a memory unit 120, a communication unit 130, a display unit 140, an operation unit 150, a location information acquisition unit 160, a time information acquisition unit 170, and an audio output unit 180. The transfer information device 100 does not need to be a dedicated device, and a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal can be used.

[0025] The control unit 110 is a part that controls the operation of the transfer information device 100, and is configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and controls each part of the transfer information device 100 in cooperation with the CPU and program data, etc. stored in the memory unit 120.

[0026] The memory unit 120 is a part where various information required for the operation of the transfer information device 100 is stored, and is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), semiconductor memory, etc., and stores data required for the operation of the transfer information device 100, such as program data, in a manner that can be read and written by the control unit 110.

[0027] The storage unit 120 includes a transfer guide program 121, a prior information storage unit 122, and an operating information storage unit 123.

[0028] The transfer information program 121 is a program that includes various instructions to the control unit 110 for operating the transfer information device 100, and the operation of the transfer information device 100 described in the operation explanation below is performed in accordance with the transfer information program 121.

[0029] The advance information storage unit 122 is a database in which various information used in the operation of the transfer information device 100 is stored in advance, and stores route data D1, mileage data D2, broadcast location data D3, required time data D4, transfer time data D5, timetable data D6, and template data D7.

[0030] The route data D1 is information about each route on which in-car announcements are made using the transfer information device 100, and includes the names of all stations on the route, the order in which the stations are arranged, and information about routes that can be transferred to at each station.

[0031] The mileage data D2 is information about the mileage of each route on which in-car announcements are made using the transfer information device 100, and includes information (longitude and latitude) about the location of each point at a predetermined distance (such as 1 km) from the starting point.

[0032] The broadcast location data D3 is information that determines the location (start location of the in-car announcement) where in-car announcements are made using the transfer information device 100, and includes information that, for each line where in-car announcements are made using the transfer information device 100, the location where in-car announcements related to transfer information are made before each station as described below, and the location where in-car announcements related to broadcast information are made between stations as described below, determined by the mileage related to the mileage data D2. It is preferable that the location where in-car announcements related to transfer information are made using the transfer information device 100 is set to a location just before each station and not overlap with the timing of existing in-car announcements. Furthermore, it is preferable that the location where in-car announcements related to broadcast information are made between stations is set to be near the middle between stations and not overlap with the timing of existing in-car announcements. In the following, in-car announcements related to transfer information will be referred to as "transfer information announcements," and in-car announcements related to broadcast information will be referred to as "broadcast information announcements."

[0033] As described above, the location where transfer information is broadcast is just before a station, whereas the location where broadcast information is broadcast is between stations, and therefore these broadcast locations are set separately. Furthermore, the positions at which the in-car announcements related to the broadcast position data D3 are made are set separately for each direction of travel of the train.

[0034] The required time data D4 is information relating to the required time from the broadcast position of the transfer information broadcast related to the broadcast position data D3 until the train stops at the next station, and for each station on each line where in-car broadcasts are made, the time required from the position just before the station where the transfer information broadcast is made until the train stops at the station is stored. The required time data D4 is set separately for each direction of travel of the train.

[0035] The transfer time data D5 is information relating to the time required to transfer trains at each station on each line where transfer information broadcasts are made using the transfer information device 100, and may be set and stored in advance for each station by, for example, calculating the average value of the time required to transfer for each station.

[0036] The timetable data D6 is information related to train timetables for each station on each line where transfer information broadcasts are made using the transfer information device 100, and is divided into individual files for each station, line, weekday / holiday (Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, and separately designated days), and direction of travel.In addition to the departure time, information related to the departing platform, destination (terminal station), train type (local, express, etc.), direct operation, and train nickname is stored for all trains departing from each station. Regarding the weekday / holiday classification, in order to accommodate sudden changes to holidays due to the New Year holidays or events, in addition to Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, separately designated days can also be treated as days on which trains operate in the holiday timetable. Specifically, calendar-related data (calendar data D14) can be stored in the advance information storage unit 122, and days on which trains operate in the holiday timetable can be specified in that data.

[0037] The template data D7 is data of a sentence that serves as a template used to generate the broadcast audio data D13, which will be described later in the explanation of the operation, and comprehensively stores data relating to sentences that may be used.

[0038] The contents of the data stored in the prior information storage unit 122 are required to be updated periodically and always be the latest information. The method of updating information is not particularly limited, but for example, the latest information can be distributed to the transfer information device 100 in the form of an email attachment or the like from a specified external system (hereinafter referred to as information distribution system 200) that manages information related to train timetables, etc., via a communication network N such as the Internet, a telephone line network, a mobile phone communication network, or a wireless LAN communication network, and in the transfer information device 100 that receives the information via the communication unit 130, the control unit 110 can update the data stored in the memory unit 120 based on the received information. Furthermore, each transfer information device 100 may access data stored in a predetermined cloud-type shared folder, thereby updating the data. When updating data using these methods, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated server, and the data stored in the transfer information device 100 can be updated to the latest data at low cost.

[0039] The operating information storage unit 123 is a part where information is temporarily stored when the transfer information device 100 is operating, and as described in the explanation of the operation below, it stores starting station information D8, terminal station information D9, direction of travel information D10, transfer information candidate station information D11, and transfer information target station information D12.

[0040] The communication unit 130 is a part used for communication between the transfer information device 100 and external systems such as the information distribution system 200, and is, for example, a communication interface having a communication IC (Integrated Circuit) and a communication connector, and performs data communication via the communication network N using a predetermined communication protocol under the control of the control unit 110.

[0041] The display unit 140 includes a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays an image based on a display control signal output from the control unit 110 on the display.

[0042] The operation unit 150 includes, for example, a keyboard having character input keys, number input keys, and other keys associated with various functions, and receives operation input from a train crew member using the transfer information device 100 and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation input to the control unit 110. The operation unit 150 may be, for example, a touch panel formed integrally with the display unit 140.

[0043] The location information acquisition unit 160 is a part that acquires information related to the location of the transfer information device 100, and for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver is used. The GPS receiver receives GPS signals, which are positioning radio waves provided from multiple GPS satellites that make up the GPS, and uses these to acquire location information of the transfer information device 100. The location information acquisition unit 160 is not limited to a GPS receiver as long as it can acquire the location information of the transfer guide device 100. For example, a receiver for signals related to other satellite positioning systems may be used.

[0044] The time information acquisition unit 170 is a part that acquires information related to the time, and is configured with a general clock function.

[0045] The audio output unit 180 is connected to a vehicle system 300, which is a system for in-car announcements installed on trains, via a specified cable or the like, and is a part for outputting broadcast audio data D13, which is audio data generated by the transfer information device 100 as described below, to the vehicle system 300. In Figure 1, the audio output unit 180 is illustrated as being, for example, a general earphone jack, and the transfer information device 100 and the vehicle system 300 are connected by cable C, which is a general earphone cable, but the audio output unit 180 is not particularly limited as long as it can output broadcast audio data D13 to the vehicle system 300 as described above. For example, if the transfer information device 100 and the vehicle system 300 are wirelessly connected, the part of the transfer information device 100 that performs such wireless communication corresponds to the audio output unit 180.

[0046] [Second operation explanation] Next, the operation of the transfer information device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. The operation of the transfer information device 100 is roughly divided into two steps: pre-operation operation (step S1) which is an operation before a train starts operating, and in-operation operation (step S2) which is an operation while the train is in operation.

[0047] [1 Step S1: Pre-operation actions] First, the operation of the transfer information device 100 before trains start running will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0048] When using this system to automatically make announcements on board a train, the train crew first performs a predetermined operation using the operation unit 150 of the transfer information device 100 to display the pre-operation screen G1 shown in Figure 4 on the display unit 140 (step S1-1).

[0049] When the pre-operation screen G1 is displayed on the display unit 140, the crew member inputs the starting station of the train that the crew member will be working on (hereinafter referred to as the "train they are working on") into the starting station field G11 displayed on the pre-operation screen G1, and inputs the terminal station of the train they are working on into the terminal station field G12 displayed on the pre-operation screen G1 (step S1-2). As a result, the transfer guide device 100 acquires starting station information D8, which is information related to the starting station of the train they are working on, and terminal station information D9, which is information related to the terminal station of the train they are working on. Furthermore, in the transfer information device 100, the control unit 110 determines the direction of travel of the train based on the starting station information D8 and the terminal station information D9, and acquires direction of travel information D10, which is information relating to the direction of travel of the train. The control unit 110 stores the acquired starting station information D8, destination station information D9, and travel direction information D10 in the operating information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 120.

[0050] If the starting station entered in the starting station column G11 and the terminal station entered in the terminal station column G12 are the same, the control unit 110 displays a predetermined error message on the display unit 140 and prompts the crew member to re-enter the starting station and terminal station of the train they are working on.

[0051] Figure 4 shows the case where the train being served is a train running on the Hachiko-Kawagoe Line, and "Hachioji" is entered in the starting station column G11 as the starting station of the train being served, and "Koma River" is entered in the ending station column G12 as the ending station of the train being served.

[0052] If there are multiple routes running between the starting station and the terminal station, information about the target route is also entered here.

[0053] In transfer guide device 100, when starting station information D8 and terminal station information D9 are acquired, control unit 110 searches route data D1 stored in prior information storage unit 122 of storage unit 120 based on starting station information D8 and terminal station information D9, and acquires transfer guide candidate station information D11, which is information related to stations where train transfers are possible (hereinafter referred to as "transfer guide candidate stations") located between the starting station related to starting station information D8 and the terminal station related to terminal station information D9 (step S1-3). Note that if the terminal station related to terminal station information D9 is a station where train transfers are possible, the transfer guide candidate stations include the terminal station related to terminal station information D9. The control unit 110 stores the acquired transfer guide candidate station information D11 in the operating information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 120.

[0054] When the transfer guide candidate station information D11 is acquired, the control unit 110 displays the station names related to the acquired transfer guide candidate station information D11 in the transfer guide candidate station field G13 of the pre-operation screen G1 (step S1-4). At this time, the control unit 110 also displays a selection switch G14 to the right of each transfer guide candidate station field G13, which is used to select a transfer guide target station in step S1-5 described below.

[0055] Figure 4 shows the case where "Hachioji" is entered in the starting station column G11 as the starting station of the train to be served, and "Koma River" is entered in the ending station column G12 as the ending station of the train to be served, and then "Haijima" and the ending station "Koma River" are displayed as candidate stations for transfer information in the candidate station column G13. Note that Figure 4 illustrates a case where "Hachioji" (starting station), "Hakonegasaki" and "Kawagoe" (stations beyond the terminal station) that are not included in the transfer guide candidate stations related to the transfer guide candidate station information D11 are also displayed, but selection switch G14 is not displayed for stations that are not included in the transfer guide candidate stations.

[0056] When the transfer guide candidate station column G13 and the selection switch G14 are displayed, the train crew uses the selection switch G14 to select the station for which transfer guidance is to be provided (hereinafter referred to as the "transfer guidance target station") (step S1-5). Specifically, the crew may use the operation unit 150 to operate the selection switch G14 to select a station for which transfer guidance is to be provided. As a result, transfer guidance device 100 acquires transfer guidance target station information D12, which is information related to transfer guidance target stations. Control unit 110 stores the acquired transfer guidance target station information D12 in operating information storage unit 123 of storage unit 120.

[0057] In Figure 4, the selection switch G14 is a switch that can be slid left or right to select whether or not to include the area in transfer guidance, and the right side is shown as on (includes the area in transfer guidance) and the left side is shown as off (does not include the area in transfer guidance). In this case, all items may be initially displayed as ON, and only those items that are desired to be turned OFF may be slid to the left, or all items may be initially displayed as OFF, and only those items that are desired to be turned ON may be slid to the right.

[0058] Next, the crew member uses the broadcast information selection field G15 displayed on the pre-operation screen G1 to select the type of text to be broadcast together with the transfer information (step S1-6). Specifically, when the broadcast information selection field G15 is operated using the operation unit 150, a list of options is displayed, and the crew member can select the type of text that they wish to broadcast from the displayed options.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows the case where "Typhoon in the Capital Region" is selected, in which case typhoon information for the capital region is broadcast together with transfer information.

[0060] [2 Step S2: Operation during operation] Next, the operation of the transfer information device 100 while a train is in operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0061] When starting operation of a train that the crew is working on, the crew uses the operation unit 150 to operate the operation start button G16 displayed below the pre-operation screen G1 when the train departs from the starting station, and when the operation start button G16 is operated, the control unit 110 of the transfer information device 100 displays the in-operation screen G2 as shown in Figure 5 on the display unit 140 (step S2-1).

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, the in-service screen G2 includes a transfer guide target station display G21 that displays the next transfer guide target station, a transfer guide on / off switch G22 for switching on / off the implementation of transfer guide broadcasting, a broadcast information on / off switch G23 for switching on / off the broadcast of broadcast information, an operation end button G24, a destination display G25, and a weekday / holiday schedule display G26.

[0063] The transfer guide target station display G21 displays the next transfer guide target station. In the example shown in Figure 4, "Haijima" is displayed first, and when the transfer guide broadcast for Haijima ends, "Koma River" is displayed. FIG. 5 shows the state where "Haijima" is displayed.

[0064] The transfer information on / off switch G22 is a switch that switches whether or not transfer information broadcasting is to be performed. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, it can be a switch that slides left and right, with the right side being on (transfer information broadcasting is performed) and the left side being off (transfer information broadcasting is not performed). In addition, the broadcast information on / off switch G23 is a switch that switches whether or not the broadcast information selected in step S1-6 is broadcast.For example, as shown in Figure 5, it can be a switch that slides left and right, with the right side being on (broadcast information is broadcast) and the left side being off (broadcast information is not broadcast).

[0065] Furthermore, even if the transfer information on / off switch G22 and / or the broadcast information on / off switch G23, which were initially off, are turned on after the operation start button G16 on the pre-operation screen G1 is operated, or if the transfer information on / off switch G22 and / or the broadcast information on / off switch G23 are turned off and then on again after the operation start button G16 on the pre-operation screen G1 is operated, the crew does not need to make the settings related to the pre-operation operation described in step S1 again, and the operation of the transfer information device 100 will start from the point where these switches are turned on based on the information stored in the operating information storage unit 123.

[0066] The operation end button G24 is a button that is operated by the crew when the operation ends, as will be described later. The destination display G25 is a display relating to the destination (terminal station) of the train being served. The weekday / holiday timetable display G26 indicates whether the operating day of the train in question is a weekday operating day or a holiday operating day. Figure 5 shows the case where "Weekday" is displayed on a weekday operating day. If it is a holiday operating day, "Holiday" should be displayed. Days on which trains operate according to the holiday timetable are, specifically, Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and other designated days, and trains operate on the weekday timetable on other days.

[0067] It is not essential that the in-operation screen G2 be displayed on the display unit 140 during the operation of step S2. For example, the display of the in-operation screen G2 on the display unit 140 may be stopped automatically after a certain period of time has passed, or in accordance with a predetermined operation by a crew member using the operation unit 150 using the transfer information device 100, and the transfer information device 100 may automatically perform the processing from step S2-2 onwards described below in the background.

[0068] When the operation start button G16 is operated, the control unit 110 acquires the position information of the transfer information device 100 at predetermined intervals (for example, every 10 seconds) using the position information acquisition unit 160, and determines whether the position has reached the broadcast position of the transfer information broadcast for the next transfer information target station (step S2-2). The control unit 110 repeats the determination of step S2-2 until it determines that the position of the transfer information device 100 has reached the broadcast position of the transfer information broadcast for the next transfer information target station.

[0069] Specifically, the control unit 110 compares the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 160 with the mileage data D2 stored in the advance information storage unit 122, searches for the mileage closest to the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 160, and then refers to the broadcast location data D3.When the mileage closest to the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 160 matches the mileage related to the broadcast location of the transfer information broadcast related to the next transfer information target station, the control unit 110 determines that the location of the transfer information device 100 has reached the broadcast location of the transfer information broadcast related to the next transfer information target station.

[0070] As shown in Figure 5, if the next station to be guided by transfer is Haijima, when the vehicle reaches a specified location approximately kilometers before Haijima, it will be determined that the location where the transfer information broadcast for Haijima will be broadcast has been reached.

[0071] If it is determined that the position of the transfer information device 100 has reached the broadcast position of the transfer information broadcast for the next transfer information target station, the control unit 110 then extracts the transfer information target train, which is the train that will be the target of transfer information at that station (step S2-3).

[0072] Specifically, the control unit 110 acquires information relating to the time at that time (the time at which it is determined in step S2-2 that the broadcast position has been reached) using the time information acquisition unit 170, and then refers to the travel time data D4 stored in the advance information storage unit 122 of the storage unit 120, and adds the travel time to the next transfer guide target station to that time (step S2-3-1).

[0073] For example, if the next transfer guide station is Haijima, the time when the broadcast location is reached is 14:20, and the required time from the transfer guide broadcast location included in the required time data D4 to Haijima Station is 3 minutes, then 3 minutes are added to 14:20 to calculate the time as 14:23.

[0074] Furthermore, the control unit 110 refers to the transfer time data D5 stored in the advance information storage unit 122 of the storage unit 120, and adds the transfer time at the transfer guide target station to the time calculated in step S2-3-1 (step S2-3-2). The time calculated in this way is the earliest time that passengers of the trains served by the train can transfer at the transfer guide target station. Hereinafter, this time will be referred to as the "transfer available time."

[0075] For example, if the next transfer guide target station is Haijima, the time when the broadcast location is reached is 14:20, the required time from the transfer guide broadcast location included in the travel time data D4 to Haijima Station is 3 minutes, and the calculated time in step S2-3-1 is 14:23, and the transfer time at Haijima Station included in the transfer time data D5 is 2 minutes, then 2 minutes are added to 14:23 to calculate 14:25.

[0076] Furthermore, the control unit 110 searches the timetable data D6 and extracts the trains on other lines that depart from the station after the transfer time calculated in step S2-3-2, the trains with the closest time for each direction on each line (step S2-3-3). The extracted trains are the trains to be included in the transfer guidance.

[0077] For example, if the next transfer guide target station is Haijima on a weekday operating timetable and 14:25 is calculated in step S2-3-2, the Ome Line inbound trains departing Haijima Station after 14:25 on weekdays with a departure time closest to 14:25, the Ome Line outbound trains departing Haijima Station after 14:25 on weekdays with a departure time closest to 14:25, and the Itsukaichi Line outbound trains departing Haijima Station after 14:25 on weekdays with a departure time closest to 14:25 will be extracted. Note that since it is the starting station for the Itsukaichi Line, there are no inbound trains departing from Haijima Station.

[0078] Next, the control unit 110 generates broadcast audio data D13, which is audio data for broadcasting transfer information (step S2-4).

[0079] Specifically, for each train extracted in step S2-3, by referring to the information contained in the timetable data D6, a sentence containing information relating to, for example, the route, direction of travel, train type, destination (terminal station), departure platform, departure time, direct service, and nickname of the train is created, and then audio data is generated that reads out the sentence as well as predetermined standard phrases.

[0080] For example, if the next transfer guide target station is Haijima on a day when the weekday schedule is in operation, and step S2-3-3 extracts the Ome Line up train that departs Haijima Station after 14:25 on the weekday schedule with the departure time closest to 14:25, the Ome Line down train that departs Haijima Station after 14:25 on the weekday schedule with the departure time closest to 14:25, and the Itsukaichi Line down train that departs Haijima Station after 14:25 on the weekday schedule with the departure time closest to 14:25, then the information related to the three extracted trains can be combined with a standard phrase related to template data D7 before and after to create a sentence, for example, as shown below, and audio data that reads out the sentence can be generated.

[0081] "Transfer information (standard text) The next Ome Line train heading up to Tachikawa leaves from platform 3 at 2:34pm (transfer information). The next Ome Line train bound for Ome leaves from platform 2 at 2:40pm (transfer information). The next Itsukaichi Line outbound train to Musashi-Itsukaichi leaves from platform 2 at 2:26pm (transfer information). Please be careful not to leave anything behind. (Standard message)

[0082] Once the broadcast audio data D13 is generated, the control unit 110 of the transfer information device 100 outputs the generated broadcast audio data D13 from the audio output unit 180 to the vehicle system 300 (step S2-5), and the vehicle system 300 plays the audio related to the broadcast audio data D13 inside the train to broadcast transfer information (step S2-6).

[0083] Once step S2-5 is completed, the transfer information device 100 determines whether the operation end button G24 on the in-operation screen G2 has been operated by the crew using the operation unit 150 (step S2-7), and if it determines that the operation end button G24 has not been operated, it returns to step S2-2 and repeats the operations from step S2-2 to step S2-5 for the next transfer information target station. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation end button G24 has been operated, the processing relating to the operation during operation in step S2 is ended.

[0084] Although the above description has been given regarding transfer guide broadcasts, in the case of broadcast information broadcasts, it is determined whether or not the broadcast location of the broadcast information broadcast has been reached separately from the transfer guide broadcast, and the broadcast information broadcast is then carried out. Specifically, as described in step S2-2, each time the location information of the transfer guide device 100 is acquired by the location information acquisition unit 160, the control unit 110 of the transfer guide device 100 compares the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 160 with the mileage data D2 stored in the prior information storage unit 122, and searches for the mileage closest to the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 160. Then, the control unit 110 refers to the broadcast location data D3, and when the mileage closest to the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 160 matches the mileage related to the broadcast location of the next broadcast information broadcast, generates audio data to read out the broadcast information selected in step S1-6 and outputs it from the audio output unit 180 to the vehicle system 300.

[0085] [Third effect explanation] Next, the effects of the transfer information device 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0086] According to the transfer information device 100 of this embodiment, first, before a train starts operation, starting station information D8, which is information relating to the starting station of the train that the crew member is on, and terminal station information D9, which is information relating to the terminal station, are obtained according to input from the crew member using the transfer information device 100, and then, based on the starting station information D8 and terminal station information D9, transfer information candidate stations, which are candidate stations for providing transfer information, are searched for, and transfer information candidate station information D11 is obtained. Furthermore, after displaying the transfer guide candidate station information D11 on the display unit 140, transfer guide target station information D12 is obtained, which is information relating to the target station for which transfer guidance is to be provided, selected from the transfer guide candidate stations by the crew member using the transfer guide device 100.

[0087] Thereafter, when the train begins operation, if it is determined that the train in service has reached a predetermined position in front of the transfer guide target station related to the transfer guide target station information D12, the transfer guide target train at the transfer guide target station is extracted, and broadcast audio data D13, which is audio data including information related to the departure time of the transfer guide target train, is generated, and the broadcast audio data D13 is output from the audio output unit 180 to the vehicle system 300.

[0088] This allows the train that is the subject of transfer guidance at each station to be extracted when the train actually approaches the station, and information related to the train that is the subject of transfer guidance to be broadcast by the vehicle system 300. Therefore, even if there is a change in the arrival time of the train that is being served by the train making the in-car announcement at the station that is the subject of transfer guidance, such as when the train is delayed, it is possible to broadcast information about trains that can actually be transferred to, and to provide appropriate transfer guidance.

[0089] In addition, the trains eligible for transfer guidance at stations eligible for transfer guidance are extracted by adding the time required from the designated location in front of the station eligible for transfer guidance to the station eligible for transfer guidance at the time when the train in service is determined to have reached that location, and then adding the transfer time at the station eligible for transfer guidance to calculate the time available for transfer. This extracts trains other than the train in service that depart from the station eligible for transfer guidance after the transfer available time calculated, making it possible to extract appropriate trains eligible for transfer guidance while taking into account both the time required to arrive at the station eligible for transfer guidance and the time required to transfer at the station eligible for transfer guidance.

[0090] Furthermore, the timetable data D6 stored in the advance information storage unit 122 of the storage unit 120 is data that stores information on the departure times of trains from each station, at least for each line and direction of travel.By extracting from such timetable data D6, for each line and direction of travel, trains that depart from the station that is the subject of transfer guidance at the time that is closest to the transfer time after the transfer time, it is possible to provide information on trains that depart from the station that is the subject of transfer guidance at the time that is closest to the transfer time after the transfer time, for each line and direction of travel.

[0091] Furthermore, between the time when the start operation button G16 on the pre-operation screen G1 is operated and the time when the end operation button G24 on the in-operation screen G2 is operated, each time the train in service reaches a predetermined position in front of each station that is the subject of transfer guidance, the train that is the subject of transfer guidance is extracted in the background, broadcast audio data D13 is generated, and the broadcast audio data D13 is output to the vehicle system 300. This makes it possible to automate in-car announcements from the start to the end of train operation while also using a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet device as the transfer guidance device 100 for other purposes.

[0092] [Fourth Modification] Next, a modified example of the transfer information device 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0093] [1 Variation 1: Consideration of transfer times for each line] In the explanation of the above operation, the transfer time added in step S2-3-2 is the transfer time associated with transfer time data D5, which is uniformly determined for each station. However, the transfer time added in step S2-3-2 may also be determined individually for each line. In this case, the transfer time data D5 stored in the advance information storage unit 122 of the storage unit 120 is set as data specifying the time required to transfer individually for each line from which the transfer originates and the line to which the transfer destination originates, for example, 3 minutes for the transfer time from line a to line b, and 5 minutes for the transfer time from line a to line c, and then in step S2-3-2, data matching the lines from which the transfer originates and the lines to which the transfer destination originates is extracted and added to the time calculated in step S2-3-1.

[0094] This makes it possible to extract more appropriate trains for transfer guidance and provide transfer guidance even at stations where transfer times differ depending on the transfer line.

[0095] Although not preferred, it is possible to set a uniform transfer time for all lines at all stations, rather than setting transfer times for each station individually. In this case, although the accuracy of extracting trains that are subject to transfer guidance decreases, it becomes easier to generate the transfer time data D5 in advance.

[0096] [2 Variation 2: Providing information about your route] In the explanation of the above operation, we have considered the case where the station to be guided by transfer is not the terminal station of the train in question, and have explained the case where only trains on other lines departing from that station are extracted as trains to be guided by transfer in step S2-3-3. However, if the station to be guided by transfer is the terminal station of the train in question and the same line continues beyond that point (if the train in question is a train that stops at an intermediate station), it is preferable to extract trains on the same line traveling in the same direction as well as trains on other lines, for passengers who will be transferring between trains on the same line. Furthermore, even if the station for which transfer information is provided is not the terminal station of the train in which the train is operated, if trains on the same line and in the same direction are extracted and announced to passengers through in-car announcements, passengers may be misled into thinking that the train in question only stops at an intermediate station. Therefore, it is preferable to extract trains on the same line and in the same direction only when the station for transfer information is the terminal station of the train in which the train is operated.

[0097] In this case, in step S2-3-3, the control unit 110 searches the timetable data D6 and extracts the train on the same route and in the same direction as the train that departs from the station after the transfer time calculated in step S2-3-2, and whose departure time is closest to the transfer time.

[0098] For example, if the Hachiko-Kawagoe Line is the target and, on a weekday operating day, "Hachioji" is entered as the starting station and "Koma River" is entered as the terminal station in step S1-1 as shown in Figure 4, and the target station for transfer guidance is the terminal station, Koma River, then since the Hachiko-Kawagoe Line continues beyond Koma River (to Kawagoe), the train in question will stop at an intermediate station. Therefore, if the calculated time is 14:25 in step S2-3-2, in addition to trains on other lines, the train with the closest departure time to 14:25 among those departing from Koma River after 14:25 on the weekday timetable for the Hachiko-Kawagoe Line bound for Kawagoe will also be extracted.

[0099] [3 Variation 3: Taking into account delays of transfer trains] In the explanation of the above operation, we have explained that the extraction of trains to be transferred to in step S2-3-3 is performed directly from timetable data D6, without taking into account the delay status of the train at the transfer destination. However, it is also possible to extract trains to be transferred to in the transfer destination after taking into account the delay status of the train at the transfer destination.

[0100] In this case, the control unit 110 obtains information on the delay time of each train on each line in real time from an external system that manages information on train delay status, and then adds the delay time to the departure time of each train from each station in the timetable data D6 to create a timetable showing the actual departure time with the delay time added. Then, using the timetable to which such delay times have been added, trains for which transfer guidance is to be provided in step S2-3-3 can be extracted.

[0101] [4 Variation 4: Excluding the last train from the information list when it has already departed] As explained in step S2-3-3, when extracting the train with the closest departure time to the transfer time from among those departing after the transfer time calculated in step S2-3-2 for each line and direction of travel, if the last train in a specific line and direction of travel has already departed, the first train of the next day will be provided for that line and direction of travel, which is inappropriate as transfer information.

[0102] Therefore, when extracting trains for which transfer guidance is provided in step S2-3-3, the control unit 110 may determine whether the last train has already departed for each direction of travel on each line at the station for which transfer guidance is provided, and then extract trains for which transfer guidance is provided in step S2-3-3, excluding trains that match the line and direction of travel for which it has determined that the last train has already departed. In this case, for lines and directions where the last train has already departed, it is preferable to include a message indicating that service has ended (for example, "Today's service on the XX line to the XX direction has ended") in the broadcast audio related to the broadcast audio data D13.

[0103] For example, as illustrated in step S2-3-3, if the next station on the Hachiko-Kawagoe Line that is the subject of transfer guidance is Haijima, and the final Ome Line up train and Itsukaichi Line down train have not yet departed, and the final Ome Line down train has already departed, then only for the Ome Line up trains and Itsukaichi Line down trains, the train with the departure time closest to the transfer time that departs Haijima Station after the transfer time calculated in step S2-3-2 will be extracted, but the Ome Line down trains will not be extracted.

[0104] [5 Variation 5: Changing the location where voice data is generated] In the above explanation of the operation, we have described a case where the broadcast audio data D13 is generated in the transfer information device 100 in step S2-4 and output to the vehicle system 300 in step S2-5, but instead, it is also possible to output only the information related to the train that is the subject of the transfer information extracted in step S2-3 from the transfer information device 100 to the vehicle system 300, and have the vehicle system 300 generate the broadcast audio data D13 and broadcast it.

[0105] [6 Variation 6: Change in the determination position of transfer guide target stations] In the explanation of the above operation, at step S1-5, the transfer information device 100 determines whether each transfer information candidate station related to the transfer information candidate station information D11 corresponds to a transfer information target station in accordance with the operation of the selection switch G14 by the train crew, and stores the transfer information target station information D12 in the operating information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12. However, instead of this, it is also possible that at this point, it is not necessary to determine whether each transfer information candidate station corresponds to a transfer information target station and store the transfer information target station information D12, and information related to the on / off of the selection switch G14 related to each transfer information candidate station is stored in the operating information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12.

[0106] In this case, in step S2-2, for all of the transfer guide candidate stations related to the transfer guide candidate station information D11, it is determined whether the broadcast location of the transfer guide broadcast just before each station has been reached, and if it is determined that the broadcast location of the transfer guide broadcast has been reached, the information related to the on / off status of the selection switch G14 for each transfer guide candidate station stored in the operating information storage unit 123 of the storage unit 12 is further referenced, and if the selection switch G14 for that station is on, it is determined that the broadcast location of the transfer guide broadcast for the next transfer guide target station has been reached. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 100 Transfer guide device (mobile terminal, transfer guide device) 110 control unit (search means, extraction means, output control means, determination means) 120 Storage section 121 Transit Guide Program (Program) 130 Communications Department 140 Display section 150 Operation unit (first acquisition means, second acquisition means, third acquisition means, fourth acquisition means) 160 Location information acquisition unit 170 Time information acquisition section 180 Audio output unit (output unit) 200 Information Distribution System 300 Vehicle Systems D1 Route Data D2 kilometer distance data D3 Broadcast position data D4 Travel time data D5 Transfer time data D6 Timetable data D7 Template Data D8 Starting Station Information D9 Terminal Station Information D10 Direction information D11 Transfer guide candidate station information D12 Transfer guide station information D13 Broadcast audio data D14 Calendar Data

Claims

1. A mobile computer, a first acquisition means for acquiring information relating to a starting station and a terminal station of a train on which a crew member using the mobile terminal is a crew member; a search means for searching for candidate stations for transfer guidance based on the information relating to the starting station and the terminal station acquired by the first acquisition means; a second acquisition means for acquiring information related to a transfer guide target station that is a target station for which transfer guidance is performed and selected from the transfer guide candidate stations; an extraction means for extracting a transfer guide target train at the transfer guide target station when it is determined that the train being served has reached a predetermined position in front of the transfer guide target station; an output control means for causing an output unit to output information related to the transfer guide target train to the outside; A program that functions as a

2. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that the output control means generates broadcast audio data, which is audio data including information regarding the departure time of the train that is the subject of the transfer guide, and outputs the broadcast audio data by the output unit.

3. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that the extraction means calculates a transfer time, which is the time when passengers of the train served by the train can transfer at the transfer guide target station, and extracts trains other than the train served by the train that depart from the transfer guide target station after the transfer time.

4. The program described in claim 3, characterized in that the extraction means calculates the transfer time by adding the travel time from the specified location to the transfer guide target station to the time when it is determined that the train has arrived at the specified location, and further adding the transfer time at the transfer guide target station.

5. 5. The program according to claim 4, wherein the transfer time is a time set for each train line departing from the transfer guide target station.

6. The program described in claim 3, characterized in that the extraction means extracts trains that depart from the station that is the subject of transfer guidance at a time that is closest to the transfer possible time after the transfer possible time, for each line and direction of travel, from timetable data, which is data in which information regarding the departure times of trains departing from the station that is the subject of transfer guidance is stored at least for each line and direction of travel.

7. The program described in claim 6, characterized in that the extraction means adds the train delay time to the departure time related to the timetable data, and then extracts, for each line and direction of travel, trains that depart from the station that is the subject of transfer guidance at a time that is closest to the transfer available time after the transfer available time.

8. The computer a determination means for determining whether or not the last train has departed from the transfer guide target station for each line and direction of travel of the train departing from the transfer guide target station; It further functions as The program described in claim 6, characterized in that the extraction means extracts, for each line and direction of travel, trains that depart from the station subject to transfer guidance at a time closest to the transfer available time after the transfer available time, excluding trains that have the same line and direction of travel as the last train that the determination means has determined to have departed from the station subject to transfer guidance.

9. A program described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the extraction means extracts trains that are on the same route and in the same direction as the train that is served as the train that is the target of the transfer guidance only when the station that is the target station of the train that is served as the terminal station of the train that is served as the train that is the target station of the transfer guidance.

10. The computer a third acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the start of operation of the train; A fourth acquisition means for acquiring information related to the end of operation of the train; It further functions as The program described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the extraction means extracts the trains to be provided with transfer guidance in the background after the third acquisition means acquires information regarding the start of operation of the train served by the train and before the fourth acquisition means acquires information regarding the end of operation of the train served by the train.

11. a first acquisition means for acquiring information relating to a starting station and a terminal station of a train; a search means for searching for candidate stations for transfer guidance based on the information relating to the starting station and the terminal station acquired by the first acquisition means; a second acquisition means for acquiring information related to a transfer guide target station that is a target station for which transfer guidance is performed and selected from the transfer guide candidate stations; an extraction means for extracting a train that is a target of transfer guidance at the target station of transfer guidance when it is determined that the train has reached a predetermined position in front of the target station of transfer guidance; an output control means for causing an output unit to output information related to the transfer guide target train to the outside; A transfer information device comprising:

12. A transfer guidance method executed by a transfer guidance device, comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring information relating to a starting station and a terminal station of a train; a search step of searching for transfer guide candidate stations that are candidate stations for transfer guidance based on the information related to the starting station and the terminal station acquired in the first acquisition step; a second acquisition step of acquiring information related to a transfer guide target station that is a target station for which transfer guidance is performed and selected from the transfer guide candidate stations; an extraction step of extracting a train that is a target of transfer guidance at the target station of transfer guidance when it is determined that the train has reached a predetermined position in front of the target station of transfer guidance; an output control step of causing an output unit to output information related to the transfer guide target train to an outside; A transfer guidance method comprising:

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