Guide device

Abstract

To obtain a guiding device that can disperse the number of people waiting at the reception desk such that the overall flow of people can proceed smoothly.SOLUTION: A guiding device 10 that guides people waiting at a reception desk to a desired area includes a sound generator 3 that generates high-frequency sound with a frequency equal to or higher than a preset lower limit value in an audible frequency band, and a control device 1 that generates high-frequency sound using the sound generator 3, and the control device 1 sets a lower limit value depending on a target person who is to be guided to target areas 13, 14 among the people waiting for reception.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a guiding device for guiding a person waiting to be received to a target area.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a person walking has been guided by voice, a display device, etc. When guiding a person by voice, if it is recognized as noise from the surroundings, there is a concern that the voice will become the subject of a complaint. Therefore, a technique for changing the notification content according to the detection result of a person has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] On the other hand, in an event venue, an evacuation shelter, etc., when a certain number of people or more gather, the waiting area becomes crowded with the gathered people. However, even if a plurality of receptions are provided in the waiting area as in the conventional case, if the time required for the reception procedure is not considered, the flow of people as a whole may not proceed smoothly. As a result, it is not possible to disperse the people waiting to be received so that they can proceed smoothly as a whole.

[0005] For this reason, even if a plurality of receptions are provided in the waiting area, if the time required for the reception procedure is not considered, the flow of people as a whole may not proceed smoothly. As a result, it is not possible to disperse the people waiting to be received so that they can proceed smoothly as a whole.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to obtain a guiding device capable of dispersing people waiting to be received so that the flow of people as a whole can proceed smoothly.​ [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The guidance device relating to this disclosure is a guidance device for guiding people waiting to a reception area to a designated area, and comprises a sound generating device that generates high-frequency sounds with frequencies above a preset lower limit in the audible frequency band, and a control device that generates high-frequency sounds using the sound generating device, wherein the control device sets the lower limit according to the target person to be guided to the designated area from among the people waiting to a reception area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to distribute people waiting at the reception desk in order to ensure that the overall flow of people proceeds smoothly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram of the guide device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of the guidance device. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the guidance device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the guidance device in Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the guidance device 10 in Embodiment 1. First, the overall configuration of the guidance device 10 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the guidance device 10 includes a control device 1, a detection device 2, and a sound generating device 3.

[0011] The guidance device 10 has the function of guiding people entering the room 11 so that they can proceed to their desired area after going through the reception procedure. The room 11 is equipped with an entrance / exit 12, destination areas 13 and 14, a waiting area 15, and reception desks 16 and 17.

[0012] People entering room 11 are classified into two groups: deaf persons 21a, 21b, and 21c who are unable to hear high-frequency sounds such as mosquito tones, and hearing persons 22a, 22b, and 22c who are able to hear high-frequency sounds such as mosquito tones. The technical feature of this disclosure is that hearing persons 22a, 22b, and 22c are guided to a desired area by utilizing high-frequency sounds. Details of high-frequency sounds will be described later.

[0013] The control device 1 and the detection device 2 are connected via a wired communication medium or a wireless communication medium. In the example shown in Figure 1, the control device 1 and the detection device 2 are connected via a communication cable 4a, which is a wired communication medium.

[0014] The control device 1 and the sound generating device 3 are connected via a wired communication medium or a wireless communication medium. In the example shown in Figure 1, the control device 1 and the sound generating device 3 are connected via a communication cable 4, which is a wired communication medium.

[0015] For communication using wireless communication media, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN, etc., may be used.

[0016] The detection device 2 has the function of detecting the degree of congestion in the waiting area 15 where there are people waiting to register at reception desks 16 and 17. In the example shown in Figure 1, the detection device 2 is installed near the entrance / exit 12.

[0017] Specifically, the detection device 2 detects the number of people entering and exiting the entrance / exit 12, and the direction in which those people enter and exit. The detection device 2 transmits the results of the number of people detection and the results of the direction in which people enter and exit to the control device 1.

[0018] More specifically, the detection device 2 is composed of a transmissive optoelectronic sensor having a light projection unit and a light reception unit, and an electronic counter. In an example of FIG. 1, two transmissive optoelectronic sensors are provided adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the entrance / exit 12 and along the floor surface of the interior 11. The light projection unit of each detection device 2 is provided on one end side of both ends of the entrance / exit 12, and the light reception unit of each detection device 2 is provided on the other end side of both ends of the entrance / exit 12.

[0019] Thereby, when a person passes through the entrance / exit 12, the light projected from the light projection unit is blocked and cannot be received by the light reception unit, so it is detected that the person has passed through the entrance / exit 12.

[0020] Also, the entry / exit direction of the person is detected based on the order in which the two transmissive optoelectronic sensors detect the person. Specifically, among the two transmissive optoelectronic sensors, if the transmissive optoelectronic sensor closer to the entrance / exit 12 detects the person and then the remaining transmissive optoelectronic sensor detects the person, it can be considered that the person has entered the interior 11, so the electronic counter counts the number of people entering the interior 11.

[0021] On the other hand, among the two transmissive optoelectronic sensors, if the transmissive optoelectronic sensor farther from the entrance / exit 12 detects the person and then the remaining transmissive optoelectronic sensor detects the person, it can be considered that the person has exited the interior 11, so the electronic counter counts the number of people exiting the interior 11.

[0022] By subtracting the number of people exiting from the number of people entering, the current number of people in the interior 11 can be calculated. Details of the calculation of the number of people will be described later using FIG. 2.

[0023] Also, in FIG. 1, an example in which the detection device 2 is composed of a transmissive optoelectronic sensor has been described, but it is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the detection device 2 may be composed of a human presence sensor. If it is a human presence sensor, the detection device 2 can be provided on the ceiling of the interior 11 instead of near the entrance / exit 12 and detect the presence of people in a desired area within the standby area 15.

[0024] Alternatively, for example, the detection device 2 may consist of a camera. If it is a camera, the degree of congestion in the waiting area 15 can be directly detected by analyzing the image data of the waiting area 15 captured by the camera.

[0025] Furthermore, for example, the detection device 2 may consist of a range sensor (LiDAR). The range sensor scans a plane with a laser and determines whether a person is present based on the size of the detected object. Therefore, if a range sensor is used, the current number of people in the room 11 can be counted from the person determination result.

[0026] In other words, the detection device 2 does not accurately detect the number of people lined up at reception desks 16 and 17, but it has the function of outputting detection results to estimate the degree of congestion in the waiting area 15.

[0027] The sound output directivity of the sound generator 3 is set towards the waiting area 15. In the example shown in Figure 1, the sound output directivity of the sound generator 3 is set towards the area in front of the reception desk 17. With this setting, if a person approaching the reception desk 17 is a person who can hear the sound (22a, 22b, 22c), they can hear the high-frequency sound. The sound generator 3 also generates high-frequency sound based on control commands received from the control device 1 via the communication cable 4.

[0028] High-frequency sounds are defined as sounds with frequencies above a predetermined lower limit within the audible frequency range. The lower limit for high-frequency sounds is set at 17 kHz. In other words, high-frequency sounds are mosquito tones.

[0029] Furthermore, the lower limit of the high-frequency sound may be set to a frequency around 17kHz, not just 17kHz. For example, the lower limit of the high-frequency sound may be set to a frequency of 16kHz.

[0030] Furthermore, as a person ages, the range of audible frequencies within the audible frequency band narrows. For example, for a person in their 60s, the upper limit of their audible frequency range is generally said to be between 8kHz and 9kHz.

[0031] For people in their 50s, the upper limit of their audible frequency range is generally said to be between 10kHz and 11kHz.

[0032] For people in their 40s, the upper limit of their audible frequency range is generally said to be between 12kHz and 14kHz.

[0033] For people in their 30s, it is generally said that 15kHz is the upper limit of their audible frequency range.

[0034] For people in their late 20s, the upper limit of their audible frequency range is generally said to be 16kHz.

[0035] For people aged 18-24, the upper limit of their audible frequency range is generally said to be between 17kHz and 18kHz.

[0036] For people aged 13 to 17, the upper limit of their audible frequency range is generally said to be between 19kHz and 20kHz.

[0037] In other words, as a person ages, their hearing in the high-frequency range declines, thus lowering the upper limit of the audible frequency range. Therefore, as the age of the person being guided to the target areas 13 and 14 using high-frequency sound increases, the lower limit of the high-frequency sound frequency decreases. Consequently, it is preferable to appropriately set the lower limit of the high-frequency sound frequency within the audible frequency range based on the hearing ability of the person being guided to the target areas 13 and 14, according to their age. Therefore, the lower limit of the high-frequency sound frequency may not be just one, but multiple values ​​may be provided in stages within the audible frequency range by making it variable according to age. This allows the sound generator 3 to generate high-frequency sounds appropriate to age.

[0038] In other words, the high-frequency sound should be a sound with a frequency that cannot be heard by deaf persons 21a, 21b, and 21c, but can be heard by hearing persons 22a, 22b, and 22c.

[0039] In this case, if the lower limit of high-frequency sound is set to 17 kHz, then the audible individuals 22a, 22b, and 22c would be people aged 13 to 24. In other words, people aged 13 to 24 would be the target group to be guided to either target area 13 or 14.

[0040] In this case, the individuals 21a, 21b, and 21c who are unable to hear are those aged 25 or older. In other words, as will be explained in more detail later, as a secondary effect, those aged 25 or older will be the target group that will be guided to either target area 13 or 14.

[0041] In the following explanation, when referring to individuals 21a, 21b, and 21c who are unable to hear, they will be collectively referred to as "inability to hear 21," and when referring to individuals 22a, 22b, and 22c who can hear, they will be collectively referred to as "can hear 22."

[0042] Furthermore, the target areas 13 and 14 mentioned above are the areas of room 11 that the hearing-impaired person 21 and the hearing-able person 22 ultimately want to go to. Target areas 13 and 14 are, for example, the testing area where healthcare workers administering vaccines are located.

[0043] Next, we will explain how to guide the listening-enabled persons 22 within the waiting area 15.

[0044] Those who enter the room 11 from entrance 12 will complete the registration process at either reception desk 16 or 17 in the waiting area 15. Those who complete the registration process at reception desk 16 will proceed to destination area 13 at the back of reception desk 16. Those who complete the registration process at reception desk 17 will proceed to destination area 14 at the back of reception desk 17. Destination areas 13 and 14 may be a single area common to reception desks 16 and 17.

[0045] When the sound generator 3, whose sound output directionality is set to be directed towards reception desk 17, emits high-frequency sound, it is perceived as unpleasant noise by hearing persons 22 who are near reception desk 17. As a result, hearing persons 22 move towards reception desk 16 instead of reception desk 17. On the other hand, as a secondary effect, hearing-impaired persons 21, although unable to hear the high-frequency sound, move towards reception desk 17 to avoid reception desk 16, which is crowded with hearing persons 22.

[0046] In this way, the hearing-enabled persons 22 are guided to the reception area 16. Also, as a secondary effect of guiding the hearing-enabled persons 22, the hearing-impaired persons 21 are guided to the reception area 17.

[0047] The sound generating device 3 may continuously generate high-frequency sound.

[0048] Next, the functions of the guidance device 10 will be described. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the guidance device 10 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the control device 1 of the guidance device 10 includes an interface device 101, a CPU 102, and a storage device 103. The interface device 101, CPU 102, and storage device 103 are connected via a bus 104.

[0049] The interface device 101 converts various signals input from the outside into signals that can be processed internally by the control device 1. Furthermore, the interface device 101 converts the signals processed internally by the control device 1 into signals that can be transmitted externally.

[0050] The CPU 102 processes the signal transmitted from the detection device 2 via the interface device 101. The signal transmitted from the detection device 2 includes information regarding the number of people detected. This information includes the number of people entering the room 11 and the number of people leaving the room 11. The CPU 102 calculates the current number of people in the room 11 by subtracting the number of people leaving from the number of people entering.

[0051] Specifically, if 10 people enter room 11 and 3 people leave room 11, CPU 102 calculates that the current number of people in room 11 is 7. CPU 102 considers these calculated 7 people to be the number of people in waiting area 15. The reason for considering the calculated number as the number of people in waiting area 15 is that it is assumed that people who move to destination areas 13 and 14 will immediately move to the exit 12 and leave room 11 once their business is finished.

[0052] Therefore, if people stay in the target areas 13 and 14 for an extended period, it is preferable that the number of people in the room 11 be detected by a detection device 2, which consists of, for example, a motion sensor, a camera, or a range sensor, rather than calculating the current number of people in the room 11 from the number of people entering and leaving.

[0053] The CPU 102 generates a high-frequency sound from the sound generator 3 if the congestion level in the waiting area 15 exceeds a preset tolerance level. Here, if the congestion level is set as the number of people in the waiting area 15, the CPU 102 determines that the tolerance level has been exceeded if the number of people in the waiting area 15 exceeds a preset threshold. If the CPU 102 determines that the tolerance level has been exceeded, it sends a signal to the sound generator 3 via the interface device 101 and activates the sound generator 3.

[0054] Here, the pre-set threshold is an indicator used to determine whether the current number of people in room 11 is within an acceptable range.

[0055] The memory device 103 stores various control programs for the CPU 102, control calculation data, high-frequency sounds, etc. The memory device 103 is composed of SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), etc. In other words, the memory device 103 only needs to be configured to store data and to be able to read that stored data.

[0056] Next, the operation of the guidance device 10 will be explained. Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the guidance device 10 in Figure 1. In Figure 3, a threshold is set as an indicator for determining the current number of people in the room 11.

[0057] In step S1, the CPU 102 receives the person detection result. After receiving the person detection result, the CPU 102 calculates the current number of people in room 11.

[0058] In step S2, CPU 102 determines whether the number of people exceeds a threshold. If CPU 102 determines that the number of people exceeds the threshold, the process in step S2 proceeds to step S3. If CPU 102 determines that the number of people is below the threshold, the process in step S2 proceeds to step S4.

[0059] In step S3, the CPU 102 sends a signal to the sound generator 3, causing the sound generator 3 to generate a mosquito tone.

[0060] In step S4, the CPU 102 sends a signal to the sound generator 3 to stop the mosquito tone. Note that the sound generator 3 does not emit a mosquito tone by default, so the process in step S4 is meaningful only when a mosquito tone is being emitted.

[0061] If a mosquito sound is constantly being generated, the process in step S3 is omitted, and the process in step S4 becomes the active process.

[0062] In step S5, the CPU 102 determines whether or not to receive the results of the person detection. If the CPU 102 determines that it will receive the results of the person detection, the process in step S5 returns to the process in step S1. If the CPU 102 determines that it will not receive the results of the person detection, the process in step S5 terminates.

[0063] As described above, the guidance device 10 according to this embodiment 1 generates high-frequency sound using the sound generator 3. At this time, the lower limit of the frequency of the high-frequency sound is set according to the age group of the target people who are to be guided to the target areas 13 and 14. This makes it possible to generate high-frequency sound appropriate for the target people, so that the overall flow of people can proceed smoothly. As a result, people waiting to register can be dispersed.

[0064] In particular, this disclosure does not necessarily aim to evenly distribute people waiting at multiple reception desks 16 and 17. This disclosure targets age groups that can hear mosquito tones, who are expected to be less likely to require a long time for the reception process, and guides these individuals outside of the specific area by generating mosquito tones in that area. As a result, it is possible to distribute people waiting at reception desks in a way that allows the overall flow of people to proceed smoothly.

[0065] Furthermore, since reception 17 is closest to the destination area 14, it would be convenient for elderly people who intend to use the destination area 14 to use reception 17. Therefore, by setting the above-mentioned specific area near reception 17, people of the age group who can hear mosquito tones can be guided outside the specific area, and as a secondary effect, reception 17 can be made exclusively for the elderly.

[0066] If the number of people in room 11 increases, the sound generator 3 may generate a high-frequency sound, such as a mosquito tone. This causes hearing-sensitive individuals 22 to move to reception 16, which is further away from the source of the mosquito tone. As a secondary effect, hearing-impaired individuals 21 will move to reception 17 rather than reception 16, which is crowded with hearing-sensitive individuals 22. As a result, even if the number of people in room 11 increases, the overall flow of people can be kept smooth. Therefore, people waiting at reception can be more reliably dispersed.

[0067] Furthermore, it is anticipated that those who are unable to hear (21) will require more time for registration procedures compared to those who can hear (22). Therefore, by allocating more registration staff to registration (17), overall human resources can be utilized more effectively.

[0068] Embodiment 2. Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in the following respects. The key feature is that the sound pressure level of high-frequency sounds is set to two levels by using a two-stage threshold for determining the number of people.

[0069] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the guidance device 10 in Embodiment 2. In Figure 4, a first threshold and a second threshold, which is greater than the first threshold, are set as thresholds that serve as indicators for determining the current number of people in the room 11. In addition, a first level and a second level, which is higher than the first level, are set as sound pressure levels for high-frequency sound. The first level is used when the number of people exceeds the first threshold but is less than or equal to the second threshold. The second level is used when the number of people exceeds the second threshold.

[0070] The following describes an example of setting the sound pressure level of high-frequency sound in two stages, but it is not limited to this example. For example, multiple sound pressure levels for high-frequency sound may be prepared, and the sound pressure level of the high-frequency sound may be changed according to the current number of people in room 11. Specifically, the sound pressure level of the high-frequency sound may be increased as the current number of people in room 11 increases.

[0071] In other words, although the threshold determination for the number of people was set to two stages below, the high-frequency sound pressure level should be set to multiple stages in accordance with the multi-stage threshold determination for the number of people.

[0072] In step S11, the CPU 102 receives the results of the person detection. After receiving the results of the person detection, the CPU 102 calculates the current number of people in room 11.

[0073] In step S12, the CPU 102 determines whether the number of people exceeds the first threshold. If the CPU 102 determines that the number of people exceeds the first threshold, the process in step S12 proceeds to step S13. If the CPU 102 determines that the number of people is less than or equal to the first threshold, the process in step S12 proceeds to step S16.

[0074] In step S13, the CPU 102 determines whether the number of people exceeds the second threshold. If the CPU 102 determines that the number of people exceeds the second threshold, the process in step S13 proceeds to step S14. If the CPU 102 determines that the number of people is below the second threshold, the process in step S13 proceeds to step S15.

[0075] In step S14, the CPU 102 sends a signal to the sound generator 3, sets the sound pressure level of the mosquito sound of the sound generator 3 to the second level, and generates a mosquito sound with a sound pressure level of the second level from the sound generator 3.

[0076] In step S15, the CPU 102 sends a signal to the sound generator 3, sets the sound pressure level of the mosquito sound of the sound generator 3 to the first level, and generates a mosquito sound with a sound pressure level of the first level from the sound generator 3.

[0077] In step S16, the CPU 102 sends a signal to the sound generator 3, causing the sound generator 3 to stop the mosquito sound.

[0078] In step S17, the CPU 102 determines whether or not to receive the results of the person detection. If the CPU 102 determines that it will receive the results of the person detection, the process in step S17 returns to the process in step S11. If the CPU 102 determines that it will not receive the results of the person detection, the process in step S17 terminates.

[0079] As described above, the guidance device 10 according to this second embodiment can not only have the same effects as in the first embodiment, but can also have the following effects that are unique to this second embodiment.

[0080] In other words, the guidance device 10 according to this second embodiment causes the sound generator 3 to increase the sound pressure level of the high-frequency sound, the mosquito sound, in multiple stages when the number of people in the room 11 increases. This allows the mosquito sound to be increased in multiple stages according to the increase in the number of people in the room 11. As a result, even if the number of people in the room 11 increases, the mosquito sound can be heard by those who are able to hear it 22. As a result, even if the area in front of the reception desks 16 and 17 becomes more crowded, the overall flow of people can be kept smooth, thus dispersing the people waiting to be seen at the reception desk.

[0081] Furthermore, the lower limit of the high-frequency sound may be lowered in accordance with the increase in the number of people in room 11. This allows more people to hear the high-frequency sound. Consequently, the number of people who can be guided to either of the target areas 13 or 14 can be increased.

[0082] Furthermore, the guidance device 10 can be used not only for indoor events 11 but also for outdoor events. For example, the lower limit of the high-frequency sound can be appropriately set according to the expected age range of attendees at a music event held on an outdoor stage. Such an age range of attendees can be predicted from the age range that was known in advance when purchasing electronic tickets.

[0083] Furthermore, in stores equipped with both manned and unmanned checkouts, if high-frequency sound is emitted towards the area where customers wait for manned checkouts, hearing individuals 22 will move towards the area where customers wait for unmanned checkouts. Generally, hearing individuals 22 do not have difficulty operating unmanned checkouts, so no extra time is wasted. On the other hand, because hearing individuals 22 do not gather at manned checkouts, hearing-impaired individuals 21, such as the elderly, can more easily use manned checkouts. Generally, hearing-impaired individuals 21, such as the elderly, may have difficulty operating unmanned checkouts, but with manned checkouts, they can leave the operation to the cashier staff, so no extra time is wasted. As a result, the overall checkout turnover rate can be increased. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 Control device, 2 Detection device, 3 Sound generator, 4,4a Communication cable, 10 Guidance device, 11 Room, 12 Entrance / exit, 13,14 Destination area, 15 Waiting area, 16,17 Reception, 21,21a,21b,21c Persons unable to hear, 22,22a,22b,22c Persons able to hear, 101 Interface device, 102 CPU, 103 Storage device, 104 Bus.

Claims

1. A guidance device that directs people waiting at the reception desk to their designated area. A sound generating device that generates high-frequency sounds with frequencies above a preset lower limit in the audible frequency range, A control device that generates the high-frequency sound using the sound generating device, Equipped with, The control device sets the lower limit value according to the person among those waiting to be guided to the target area. Guidance device.

2. The system further includes a detection device for detecting the degree of congestion in the waiting area where people are waiting to register. The control device generates the high-frequency sound when the degree of congestion exceeds a preset tolerance range. The guide device according to claim 1.

3. The detection device detects the number of people in the waiting area as the degree of congestion, The control device determines that the number of people has exceeded the acceptable range if it exceeds a preset threshold. The guide device according to claim 2.

4. The control device sets the lower limit value according to the assumed hearing ability of the subject. The guide device according to claim 3.

5. The control device is Using a first threshold value that is set in advance as the threshold value, and a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value, If the number of people exceeds the first threshold and is less than or equal to the second threshold, the sound pressure level of the high-frequency sound is set to the first level. If the number of people exceeds the second threshold, the sound pressure level is set to a second level, which is higher than the first level. The guide device according to claim 3.

6. The control device lowers the lower limit within the audible frequency band as the age of the subject increases. A guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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