Assistance system

Abstract

To provide a configuration which notifies a care-giver of a predetermined assistance request for a care-receiver who needs assistance, and does not notify the care-giver of the assistance request when the care-receiver does not need assistance.SOLUTION: When a care-receiver M1 intrudes into a predetermined monitoring area and a tag ID is read from a wireless tag 11 of the care-receiver by a wireless communication device 20, a server 30 determines, based on assistance information registered in a storage unit 32, whether or not the care-receiver who is identified from the read tag ID needs assistance. When it is determined that assistance is required for the care-receiver M1, a predetermined assistance request is instructed to a notification device 40, and the notification device 40 notifies a station staff member M2 of the predetermined assistance request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an assistance system that notifies an assistant of information regarding an assisted person who requires assistance.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when a visually impaired person uses a station platform, by applying for assistance in advance, the visually impaired person can be safely guided, etc. by the station staff. Even without prior assistance application, etc., station staff are required to guide a visually impaired person if there is a visually impaired person using the station platform. For this reason, there is a need for a system that can easily grasp the presence of assisted persons who require assistance, such as station staff, and it is desirable to smoothly notify the assistant of the presence of the assisted person to be assisted.

[0003] As such, as a technology for smoothly notifying an assistant of the presence of an assisted person to be assisted, for example, a visually impaired person detection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. This visually impaired person detection device uses the station platform as a monitoring target area, detects a user with a white cane as a visually impaired person based on image data obtained by imaging users on the platform, and notifies the station staff in the station office of the confirmation result. As a result, the station staff can detect and assist a visually impaired person with a white cane on the station platform at an early stage, and thus can safely guide the visually impaired person, etc.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, as mentioned above, it is not always desirable to provide assistance to all visually impaired individuals who are found to be in need. Even if a user appears to require assistance, they may not need it in a familiar environment, and receiving assistance in such cases can place a significant psychological burden on the user.

[0006] The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is to provide a configuration that notifies caregivers of predetermined assistance requests for persons requiring assistance, and does not notify caregivers of assistance requests when the person requiring assistance does not require assistance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the invention described in claim 1 of the claims is: An assistance system (1) that notifies the caregiver (M2) of information regarding a person requiring assistance (M1), A wireless tag (11) attached to the belongings (10) of the person being cared for, on which identifying information that can identify the person being cared for is recorded, A wireless communication device (20) that reads the specific information from the wireless tag within a designated monitoring area, A server (30) that monitors the reading results from the wireless communication device, A notification device (40) that notifies the caregiver of a predetermined assistance request instructed by the server as information concerning the person being assisted, An imaging device that sets the predetermined monitoring area as the imaging range, Equipped with, The aforementioned server, A storage unit (32) in which assistance information relating to the assistance needed by the person being assisted is registered in association with the specified information, An assistance necessity determination unit (31) determines whether assistance is necessary for the person being assisted, who is identified from the specific information read from the wireless tag by the wireless communication device, based on the assistance information registered in the storage unit, When the assistance necessity determination unit determines that the person to be assisted needs assistance, the instruction unit (31, 35) instructs the notification device to issue the predetermined assistance request, Equipped with 、 The aforementioned designated assistance request includes image data captured by the imaging device when the specified information is read by the wireless communication device. An assistance system characterized by the following features. The symbols within the parentheses above indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described later. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] Claim 1,2,3,6,7 In this invention, when a person requiring assistance enters a designated monitoring area, specific information is read from the person's wireless tag via a wireless communication device. The server then uses an assistance necessity determination unit, based on the assistance information registered in the storage unit, to determine whether assistance is needed for the person identified from the read specific information. If it is determined that assistance is needed for the person requiring assistance, the instruction unit instructs a notification device to issue a predetermined assistance request, which in turn notifies the caregiver of the assistance request.

[0009] This allows individuals requiring assistance to receive assistance from designated caregivers simply by entering a designated monitoring area, after which they have been notified of a designated assistance request. In particular, if an individual requiring assistance enters the designated monitoring area, it is determined that assistance is not needed based on the assistance information registered in the memory unit, and no designated assistance request is notified to the caregiver. Therefore, it is possible to realize an assistance system that notifies caregivers of designated assistance requests for individuals requiring assistance, and does not notify caregivers of assistance requests when the individual does not require assistance.

[0010] Claim 7 In this invention, assistance information is provided in response to a request from the person being assisted. Details of assistance and conditions of assistance The settings are stored in a memory unit and can be changed. This allows the person receiving assistance to specify in detail whether or not they need assistance, such as requesting assistance in certain situations but not in others. Furthermore, they can change these settings later, thus improving the convenience of the system.

[0011] Claim 8 In this invention, a predetermined assistance request includes information about the type of assistance needed, which is identified from the assistance information registered in the memory unit. This makes it easier for the caregiver who receives the assistance request to understand the type of assistance needed by the person receiving assistance, so that the person receiving assistance can receive more appropriate assistance.

[0012] Claim 9 In this invention, a wireless communication device is installed in each of several predetermined monitoring areas, and a predetermined assistance request includes specific information about the predetermined monitoring area from which the wireless communication device reads the information. As a result, even when multiple monitoring areas are set up, it is possible to determine that there is a person requiring assistance in the predetermined monitoring area from which the specific information is read, so that the caregiver can accurately determine the location of the person requiring assistance.

[0013] Claim 10 In this invention, the memory unit stores notification destination information associated with the specific information of the person receiving assistance, for sending a predetermined notification to the person receiving assistance when a predetermined assistance request is notified to the caregiver. When the server receives a predetermined assistance request from the instruction unit to the notification device, it uses the notification destination information associated with the specific information of the person receiving assistance to send the predetermined notification. As a result, the person receiving assistance can receive the predetermined notification when an assistance request is notified to the caregiver, and can wait for the caregiver's arrival with peace of mind.

[0014] Claim 1 In this invention, an imaging device is provided whose imaging range is a predetermined monitoring area, and a predetermined assistance request includes image data captured by the imaging device when specific information is read by a wireless communication device. As a result, the caregiver who receives the assistance request can clearly understand the appearance and situation of the person being assisted by looking at the captured image of the person being assisted, and can take swift action to assist that person.

[0015] Claim 2In the invention, the server is provided with a moving direction determination unit that determines whether or not the moving direction of the wireless tag from which specific information has been read by the wireless communication device is a predetermined direction that requires assistance. And when the moving direction determination unit determines that the moving direction of the wireless tag is different from the predetermined direction, the instruction unit does not instruct the notification device to issue a predetermined assistance request regardless of the determination result by the assistance necessity determination unit.

[0016] For example, when determining the necessity of assistance for a person requiring assistance entering through the ticket gate at a station, it may be the case that assistance requests are uniformly unnecessary for those requiring assistance exiting through the ticket gate. In such a case, when it is determined that the moving direction of the wireless tag from which specific information has been read is a predetermined direction that requires assistance, the necessity of assistance is determined, and when it is determined that the moving direction of the wireless tag is different from the above-mentioned predetermined direction, regardless of the determination result of the assistance necessity determination unit, no assistance request is instructed, thereby suppressing the notification of unnecessary assistance requests.

[0017] Claim 3 In the invention, the predetermined monitoring area is the alighting area through which a person getting off a stopped train passes on the platform of a station, and the wireless communication device is arranged to read specific information from a wireless tag that has alighted from a stopped train together with a person requiring assistance. Thereby, the presence of a person requiring assistance getting off a stopped train can be easily grasped, and when that person requiring assistance needs assistance, the assistant can act quickly for the assistance of that person requiring assistance.

[0018] Claim 4 In the invention, among a plurality of provided wireless communication devices, the first wireless communication device is arranged such that the above-mentioned alighting area is a predetermined monitoring area, and the second wireless communication device is arranged such that the ticket gate of the same station is a predetermined monitoring area. And the assistance necessity determination unit determines the specific information read by the first wireless communication device as a determination target when it has not been read by the second wireless communication device, and does not determine the specific information as a determination target when it has already been read by the second wireless communication device.

[0019] As a result, if specific information read by the first wireless communication device has already been read by the second wireless communication device, that is, if the person being assisted is boarding the train, an assistance request will not be made. Therefore, it is possible to prioritize assistance when disembarking, when assistance is more likely to be needed than when boarding, while suppressing the notification of unnecessary assistance requests.

[0020] Claim 5 In this invention, if specific information read by the first wireless communication device is not read by the second wireless communication device, that is, if the person being assisted is getting off the train, the instruction unit instructs the notification device to issue a predetermined assistance request, regardless of the determination result of the assistance necessity determination unit. Since the person being assisted who has gotten off the train is unaware of the situation on the platform, in such cases, the safety of the person being assisted can be prioritized by notifying the caregiver of the assistance request without considering the assistance information registered by the person being assisted (regardless of the determination result of the assistance necessity determination unit).

[0021] In the invention of claim 11, the assistance necessity determination unit determines that assistance is necessary for the person being assisted if the wireless tag from which the specific information has been read by the wireless communication device is deemed not to have moved for a certain period of time, regardless of the information registered in the storage unit.

[0022] Even in locations where a person receiving assistance has registered that they do not require assistance, assistance may become necessary due to changes in the surrounding environment. Therefore, if a wireless tag from which specific information has been read is deemed not to have moved for a certain period of time, that is, if the person receiving assistance remains within the designated monitoring area for a certain period of time, the system determines that the person receiving assistance is requesting assistance. This allows the person receiving assistance to request assistance on the spot, even in situations where they had registered that they did not require assistance, thereby improving the convenience of this system.

[0023] Claim 6In this invention, a tag height detection unit is provided that detects the height of a wireless tag from a reference surface after specific information has been read by a wireless communication device. The assistance necessity determination unit determines that assistance is necessary for the person being assisted, regardless of the information registered in the storage unit, when the height of the wireless tag from the reference surface after specific information has been read by the wireless communication device is deemed to be above a predetermined height.

[0024] If the height of the wireless tag from which specific information has been read is deemed to be above a predetermined height, that is, if the person requiring assistance is holding the wireless tag high within the designated monitoring area, the system determines that the person requiring assistance is requesting assistance. This allows the person requiring assistance to request assistance on the spot, even if they had previously registered that they did not require assistance, thereby improving the convenience of this system.

[0025] Claim 12 In this invention, the notification device is a portable terminal carried by the caregiver, so the caregiver can check the designated assistance request even while on the move. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0026] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the assistance system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the server shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the assistance information and other data registered in the server's database. [Figure 4] This flowchart illustrates the flow of the assistance needs confirmation process performed in the server's control unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This flowchart illustrates the flow of the assistance needs confirmation process performed in the server's control unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic representation of the assistance system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7]Figure 7(A) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement configuration of the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit in the wireless communication device in the fourth embodiment; Figure 7(B) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement configuration of the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit in the wireless communication device in the first modified example of the fourth embodiment; and Figure 7(C) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement configuration of the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit in the wireless communication device in the second modified example of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] This flowchart illustrates the flow of the assistance requirement confirmation process performed in the server's control unit in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] This flowchart illustrates the flow of the assistance requirement confirmation process performed in the server's control unit in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 10] This flowchart illustrates the flow of the assistance requirement confirmation process performed in the server's control unit in a modified example of the sixth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the assistance system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The assistance system 1 according to this embodiment is a system for notifying caregivers of information about persons requiring assistance, such as visually impaired persons. In this embodiment, the assistance system 1 is configured to notify a predetermined assistance request to a station attendant M2 at the station where the person requiring assistance M1 is to use the station, if the person requiring assistance M1 wishes to receive assistance.

[0028] Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, the assistance system 1 is configured to include a wireless tag 11 attached to a white cane 10 used by the person being assisted M1 as an item when going out, multiple wireless communication devices 20 that read the wireless tag 11, a server 30 that monitors the reading results from each wireless communication device 20, and a notification device 40 that notifies the station staff M2 of a predetermined assistance request instructed by the server 30. For convenience, Figure 1 shows one wireless communication device 20 installed near the ticket gate of a station and the notification device 40 located in the station office of that station, and omits the illustration of wireless communication devices 20 installed near other ticket gates of that station and wireless communication devices 20 and notification devices 40 installed at other stations.

[0029] The wireless tag 11 is attached to the white cane 10 used by the person being assisted M1 when going out, and the tag ID is recorded as unique identifying information that can identify the person being assisted M1. The wireless tag 11 can be configured as an RF tag distributed by the person being assisted M1, etc., upon application for use from the operator of the assistance system 1.

[0030] The wireless communication device 20 is configured to read tag IDs from wireless tags 11 within a predetermined monitoring area, which is the area around the ticket gate entrance of each station under management, and to transmit the reading results to the server 30. In other words, a wireless communication device 20 is installed in each of the multiple predetermined monitoring areas. Therefore, when a person being assisted M1 with a white cane 10 attempts to pass through any of the ticket gates, the tag ID of the wireless tag 11 attached to the white cane 10 is read by the wireless communication device 20. Each wireless communication device 20 is individually assigned a device ID to identify it, and the wireless communication device 20 that reads the tag ID performs processing to transmit that tag ID along with the device ID to the server 30. The device ID may be an example of information related to the predetermined monitoring area from which the tag ID was read by the wireless communication device 20.

[0031] Server 30 is configured as a computer that, using the reading results from each wireless communication device 20, detects a person requiring assistance M1 and notifies a station attendant M2 via a notification device 40 of a predetermined assistance request. It is connected to each wireless communication device 20 and each notification device 40 via the internet or the like. As shown in Figure 2, Server 30 includes a control unit 31 that comprehensively controls the entire server 30, a storage unit 32 consisting of ROM, RAM, HDD, etc., a display unit 33 consisting of an LCD monitor, etc., an operation unit 34 consisting of a mouse, keyboard, etc., and a communication unit 35 for communicating with external devices such as wireless communication devices 20 and notification devices 40.

[0032] The memory unit 32 has a database in which assistance information related to the assistance needed by the person being assisted M1 is registered and associated with a tag ID that identifies the person being assisted M1. The assistance information is registered and modified upon application by the person being assisted M1, etc., and is registered for each tag ID, for example, as illustrated in Figure 3. In Figure 3, "Assistance Requested" is registered as "Required" when the person being assisted M1 requests some kind of assistance, and as "Not Required" when the person being assisted M1 does not request assistance. It is also possible to change it from "Not Required" to "Required" or from "Required" to "Not Required". In addition, assistance information may include, for example, the time of day and day of the week when assistance is requested, and information regarding the meeting place with the caregiver. Also, "Notification Information" in Figure 3 is an application ID, address, telephone number, etc. that can be used on a mobile device, etc., owned by the person being assisted M1.

[0033] In the server 30 configured in this way, during the assistance necessity confirmation process performed by the control unit 31, when a tag ID and device ID are received from any of the wireless communication devices 20, it is determined whether or not assistance is needed for the person being assisted M1 identified by the tag ID, based on the assistance information stored in the storage unit 32. If it is determined that assistance is needed for the person being assisted M1, a predetermined assistance request is instructed to the notification device 40 at the station where the wireless communication device 20 identified by the received device ID is located.

[0034] The notification device 40 is, for example, a computer located in the station office used by station employee M2, and is configured to notify station employee M2 of a predetermined assistance request instructed by server 30, by displaying it on a screen or the like, as described later.

[0035] In this embodiment, the assistance requirement confirmation process performed by the control unit 31 of the server 30 will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 4. When the control unit 31 of the server 30 starts the assistance need confirmation process, the determination process shown in step S101 of Figure 4 determines whether or not the wireless tag 11 has been detected by any of the managed wireless communication devices 20. If the tag ID and device ID are not received via the communication unit 35, it is determined that the wireless tag 11 has not been detected, and the determination of "No" is repeated in step S101.

[0036] Then, as the person being assisted, M1, with the white cane 10, approaches the ticket gate, the wireless communication device 20, which has designated the area around the ticket gate entrance as a monitoring area, reads the tag ID from the wireless tag 11 attached to the white cane 10. As a result, the wireless communication device 20 transmits the read tag ID and device ID, etc., to the server 30.

[0037] As described above, when the transmitted tag ID and device ID are received via the communication unit 35, the wireless tag 11 is detected (Yes in S101), and the assistance content confirmation process shown in step S103 is performed. In this process, the database in the storage unit 32 is referenced to determine whether assistance is needed for the person being assisted M1 identified by the tag ID, based on the assistance information associated with the received tag ID and the received device ID. If it is determined that assistance is needed, the specific assistance content is identified from the assistance information registered in the database.

[0038] In the example in Figure 3, if the tag ID is "1001" and the device ID is that of wireless communication device 20 at Station B, which is different from Station A, then assistance is required and the type of assistance is identified as "visual impairment". On the other hand, if the tag ID is "1001" and the device ID is that of wireless communication device 20 at Station A, then assistance is not required. In other words, if the person being assisted, M1, who is registered as "visually impaired" and corresponds to tag ID "1001", is accustomed to using Station A and wishes to receive assistance at a station other than Station A, the registration status will be as shown in Figure 3. Also, for example, if the tag ID is "1002", then regardless of the device ID, assistance is required and the type of assistance is identified as "assistance dog". Also, for example, if the tag ID is "1003", then regardless of the device ID, assistance is required and the type of assistance is identified as "wheelchair". Also, for example, if the tag ID is "1004", then regardless of the device ID, assistance is not required.

[0039] In the assistance content confirmation process described above, if it is determined that the person being assisted M1 requires assistance, the determination process in step S105 is determined to be Yes, and the assistance request instruction process shown in step S107 is performed. In this process, a predetermined assistance request, including information on the specific assistance content identified as described above and the location of the ticket gate (information on a predetermined monitoring area) identified from the device ID, is instructed to the notification device 40 associated with the device ID via the communication unit 35, and this assistance necessity confirmation process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in the assistance content confirmation process described above that the person being assisted M1 does not require assistance (No in S105), the assistance request instruction process is not performed, and this assistance necessity confirmation process ends. The control unit 31 that performs the processes in steps S103 and S105 corresponds to an example of an "assistance necessity determination unit," and the control unit 31 and communication unit 35 that perform the processes in step S107 may correspond to an example of an "instruction unit."

[0040] As described above, when a designated assistance request is issued to the notification device 40, information regarding the specific assistance required and the location of the ticket gate are displayed on the screen, etc., to notify the station staff M2. For example, in the example in Figure 3, when a person being assisted M1, accompanied by a white cane 10 with a wireless tag 11 with tag ID "1001", uses the ticket gate at Station B, assistance is required, and the type of assistance required is identified as "visual impairment". Information regarding assistance for "visual impairment" and the location of the ticket gate are then displayed on the notification device 40. This allows Station Staff M2 at Station B to understand the location of the ticket gate that person being assisted M1 is about to pass through and the type of assistance required for that person, and then proceed to that person. The notification device 40 may also notify Station Staff M2 of the location of the ticket gate that person being assisted M1 is about to pass through and the type of assistance required for that person, not only through screen display, but also by using voice guidance or LED illumination status.

[0041] As described above, in the assistance system 1 according to this embodiment, when the person being assisted M1 enters a predetermined monitoring area, the wireless communication device 20 reads the tag ID (identification information) from the person being assisted's wireless tag 11. The server 30 then determines whether assistance is needed for the person being assisted identified from the read tag ID, based on the assistance information registered in the storage unit 32. If it is determined that assistance is needed for the person being assisted M1, a predetermined assistance request is instructed to the notification device 40, which then notifies the station staff (assistant) M2 of the predetermined assistance request.

[0042] As a result, a person requiring assistance, M1, can receive assistance from a station attendant M2 who has been notified of a predetermined assistance request simply by entering a designated monitoring area. In particular, if a person requiring assistance, M1, enters the designated monitoring area, it is determined that assistance is not needed based on the assistance information registered in the storage unit 32 of the server 30, and no predetermined assistance request is notified to the station attendant M2. Therefore, an assistance system 1 can be realized that notifies caregivers of a predetermined assistance request for a person requiring assistance, M1, and does not notify caregivers of an assistance request if the person requiring assistance, M1, does not require assistance.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, assistance information is registered in the storage unit 32 of the server 30 in a modifiable manner in response to requests from the person being assisted M1. This allows the person being assisted M1 to set in detail whether or not to request assistance, such as requesting assistance in certain situations and not requesting assistance in other situations, and also allows them to change these settings later, thereby improving the convenience of this system.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the predetermined assistance request instructed from the server 30 to the notification device 40 includes information regarding the content of assistance identified from the assistance information registered in the storage unit 32 of the server 30. This makes it easier for the station attendant M2 who receives the assistance request to understand the content of assistance needed by the person being assisted M1, so that the person being assisted M1 can receive more appropriate assistance.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a wireless communication device 20 is installed in each of the multiple predetermined monitoring areas, and a predetermined assistance request includes the device ID mentioned above as information about the predetermined monitoring area from which the tag ID is read by the wireless communication device 20. As a result, even when multiple monitoring areas are set, it can be determined that there is a person requiring assistance M1 in the predetermined monitoring area from which the tag ID is read, so that the station staff M2 can accurately determine the location of the person requiring assistance M1.

[0046] [Second Embodiment] Next, an assistance system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this second embodiment, the main difference from the first embodiment is that a predetermined notification is given to the person being cared for when a predetermined assistance request is notified to the caregiver. Therefore, components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0047] In the assistance need confirmation process in this embodiment, when a predetermined assistance request is notified to station staff M2 via the notification device 40 as described above, the station staff M2 uses the notification destination information registered in the server 30's database to send a predetermined notification to the person receiving assistance M1, informing them that station staff M2 is on their way to provide assistance.

[0048] In this embodiment, the assistance requirement confirmation process performed by the control unit 31 of the server 30 will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 5. Similar to the first embodiment described above, when it is determined that the person being assisted M1 requires assistance and the specific details of the assistance are identified (Yes in S105 of Figure 5), a predetermined assistance request is instructed to the notification device 40 associated with the device ID (S107).

[0049] Next, the notification process shown in step S109 is performed. In this process, the notification destination information associated with the tag ID of the person being assisted M1 in the server 30's database is used to send a predetermined notification indicating that station staff M2 is on its way to assist the person being assisted M1. In this embodiment, the predetermined notification to the person being assisted M1 is, for example, an audio message such as "Notification sent" or "Please wait a moment," and the audio message is broadcast on the mobile terminal or the like of the person being assisted M1 who has received the predetermined notification. Alternatively, the predetermined notification may be, for example, a vibration in a predetermined mode on the mobile terminal or the like.

[0050] As described above, in this embodiment, the storage unit 32 of the server 30 stores notification destination information associated with the tag ID (identification information) of the person being assisted M1 for sending a predetermined notification to the person being assisted M1 when a predetermined assistance request is notified to the station staff (assistant) M2. When the server 30 receives a predetermined assistance request from the notification device 40, it sends a predetermined notification using the notification destination information associated with the tag ID of the person being assisted M1 (S109). As a result, the person being assisted M1 can receive the predetermined notification when the assistance request is notified to the station staff M2, and can wait for the station staff M2 to arrive with peace of mind.

[0051] Furthermore, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment, which provides a predetermined notification to the person receiving assistance when a predetermined assistance request is notified to the caregiver, can also be applied to other embodiments.

[0052] [Third Embodiment] Next, an assistance system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes image data captured by an imaging device with a predetermined monitoring area as its imaging range in a predetermined assistance request. Therefore, components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, an imaging device 50 is provided for each wireless communication device 20, which is positioned to capture the predetermined monitoring area. More specifically, the imaging device 50 is positioned to capture an image of the person being cared for M1 immediately after the wireless tag 11 is read by the wireless communication device 20. Each imaging device 50 is configured to transmit the captured image data to the server 30 at a timing instructed by the server 30.

[0054] In the assistance need confirmation process in this embodiment, during the assistance request instruction process shown in step S107, an instruction is given to the imaging device 50, whose imaging range is the monitoring area of ​​the wireless communication device 20 that read the tag ID, to transmit the image data that was captured at the time the tag ID was read. Then, in response to this transmission instruction, a predetermined assistance request, including the image data received from the imaging device 50, is instructed to the notification device 40 associated with the device ID via the communication unit 35.

[0055] In this embodiment, an imaging device 50 with a predetermined monitoring area as its imaging range is provided for each wireless communication device 20, and a predetermined assistance request includes image data captured by the imaging device 50 when the tag ID is read by the wireless communication device 20. As a result, the image data captured when the tag ID is read includes the wireless tag 11 that records the tag ID, i.e., the person being assisted M1 holding the white cane 10. Therefore, the station staff member M2 who receives the assistance request can view the captured image of the person being assisted M1 using the notification device 40, thereby clearly understanding the appearance and situation of the person being assisted M1, and can act quickly to provide assistance to the person being assisted M1.

[0056] The image data to be included in the prescribed assistance request may be a single still image data captured by the imaging device 50 at the time of tag ID reading, or it may be multiple still image data (for example, video data) captured by the imaging device 50 at a predetermined time before and after the time of tag ID reading.

[0057] Furthermore, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment, in which image data captured by an imaging device with a predetermined monitoring area as its imaging range is included in a predetermined assistance request, can also be applied to other embodiments.

[0058] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, an assistance system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this fourth embodiment, the main difference from the first embodiment is that the need for assistance is determined by considering the direction of movement of the wireless tag. Therefore, components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0059] For example, it may be possible to determine whether assistance is needed for a person requiring assistance (M1) entering a station by passing through the ticket gate, and then uniformly determine that assistance is not required for any person requiring assistance who is exiting the station by passing through the same gate.

[0060] Therefore, in this embodiment, each wireless communication device 20 is configured to detect the direction of movement of the wireless tag 11, which is read when the person being assisted M1 passes through the ticket gate. Specifically, as illustrated in Figure 7(A), the wireless communication device 20 includes a first wireless communication unit 21 installed on the entrance side of the ticket gate and a second wireless communication unit 22 installed on the platform side of the ticket gate, and is configured to detect the direction of movement of the wireless tag 11 according to the difference in reading times and to transmit the detection result to the server 30.

[0061] In this embodiment, the assistance requirement confirmation process is performed as shown in the flowchart in Figure 8. When the wireless tag 11 is detected (Yes in S101 in Figure 8), the determination process in step S111 determines whether the direction of movement of the wireless tag 11 from which the tag ID was read is the predetermined direction of entry, which requires assistance. Since the reading timing of the first wireless communication unit 21 is earlier than that of the second wireless communication unit 22, if the detection result that the direction of movement of the wireless tag 11 is the entry direction is received from the wireless communication device 20 (Yes in S111), the processes from step S103 onwards are performed to determine whether assistance is required.

[0062] On the other hand, since the second wireless communication unit 22 has an earlier reading timing than the first wireless communication unit 21, if the wireless communication device 20 receives a detection result indicating that the direction of movement of the wireless tag 11 is different from the entry direction (No in S111), the assistance necessity confirmation process is terminated without performing the processes from step S103 onward (regardless of the result of the assistance necessity determination), and no assistance request is issued. The control unit 31 that performs the determination process in step S111 may correspond to an example of a "movement direction determination unit" that determines whether the direction of movement of the wireless tag 11 is a predetermined direction requiring assistance.

[0063] In this way, when it is determined that the direction of movement of the wireless tag 11 is different from the direction of entry (a predetermined direction requiring assistance), the system does not determine whether assistance is needed (regardless of the determination result) and does not issue an assistance request, thereby suppressing the notification of unnecessary assistance requests.

[0064] Furthermore, the first wireless communication unit 21 and the second wireless communication unit 22 are not limited to being installed on the entrance side and platform side of the ticket gate, respectively. As shown in the first modified example illustrated in Figure 7(B), they may both be installed on the platform side such that the first wireless communication unit 21 is closer to the ticket gate than the second wireless communication unit 22. Also, as shown in the second modified example illustrated in Figure 7(C), the first wireless communication unit 21 and the second wireless communication unit 22 may both be installed on the entrance side such that the second wireless communication unit 22 is closer to the ticket gate than the first wireless communication unit 21.

[0065] Furthermore, the wireless communication device 20 may be configured to transmit the read tag ID to the server 30 when it is determined that the direction of movement of the wireless tag 11 is the direction of entry (a predetermined direction requiring assistance), and not transmit the read tag ID to the server 30 when it is determined that the direction of movement of the wireless tag 11 is not the direction of entry. In this case, the assistance requirement confirmation process performed by the server 30 can eliminate the need for the determination process (S111) regarding the direction of movement of the wireless tag 11.

[0066] Furthermore, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment, which determines whether assistance is needed by considering the direction of movement of the wireless tag, can be applied to other embodiments as well.

[0067] [Fifth Embodiment] Next, an assistance system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a person requiring assistance who has disembarked from a stopped train onto the platform as a subject of the assistance requirement determination. Therefore, components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0068] In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the person requiring assistance M1, who has disembarked from a stopped train onto the platform, requires assistance. For this purpose, some of the wireless communication devices 20 are positioned to read the tag ID from the wireless tag 11 that disembarked with the person requiring assistance M1 from the train, within a predetermined monitoring area on the station platform where people who have disembarked from a stopped train pass through. Specifically, for example, on a platform where an 8-car train is stopped, a wireless communication device 20 is positioned for each car that makes up the train or for each door of each car.

[0069] Therefore, in the assistance need confirmation process performed by the control unit 31 of the server 30 in this embodiment, when the person being assisted M1 disembarks from the stopped train onto the platform, the wireless tag 11 whose tag ID has been read by the wireless communication device 20 is detected (Yes in S101). Then, based on the assistance information associated with the tag ID and the device ID, if it is determined that the person being assisted M1 needs assistance (Yes in S105), a predetermined assistance request is instructed to the notification device 40 associated with the device ID (S107). The predetermined assistance request may include information regarding the specific assistance content and the disembarking location (information regarding a predetermined monitoring area) identified from the device ID.

[0070] This makes it easy to identify the presence of the person receiving assistance, M1, who has disembarked from a stopped train. If M1 requires assistance, the station attendant M2, who is the caregiver, can accurately locate M1 and act quickly to provide assistance.

[0071] Furthermore, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment, in which a person requiring assistance disembarking from a stopped train onto the platform is included in the determination of whether or not assistance is needed, can also be applied to other embodiments.

[0072] [Sixth Embodiment] Next, an assistance system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This sixth embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that it distinguishes between those who have disembarked from the train and those who are disembarking from the train in determining whether assistance is needed. Therefore, components that are substantially the same as those in the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0073] As in the fifth embodiment described above, in a configuration where the tag ID read within the disembarking area is used to determine whether assistance is needed, there are cases where the above-mentioned assistance request is issued unnecessarily when the person requiring assistance M1 boards the train and enters the disembarking area.

[0074] Therefore, in this embodiment, among the wireless communication devices 20, a first wireless communication device that designates the disembarking area as a predetermined monitoring area and a second wireless communication device that designates the ticket gate of the same station as a predetermined monitoring area are distinguished according to the device ID. Then, in the assistance need confirmation process performed by the control unit 31 of the server 30, if a tag ID that has already been read at the ticket gate is read in the disembarking area, it is assumed that the person requiring assistance M1 is on the platform to board the train, and that tag ID is not included in the determination of whether assistance is needed.

[0075] Specifically, as shown in the flowchart in Figure 9, when the wireless tag 11 is detected (Yes in S101 in Figure 9), the determination process in step S113 determines whether the person being assisted M1 has disembarked based on whether the read tag ID has been read by the wireless communication device 20 (second wireless communication device) located at the ticket gate. If it is determined that the person being assisted M1 has disembarked because the read tag ID has not been read by the wireless communication device 20 located at the ticket gate within a predetermined time (Yes in S113), the process from step S103 onward is performed using that tag ID as the target of the determination.

[0076] On the other hand, if the read tag ID has already been read by the wireless communication device 20 (second wireless communication device) located at the ticket gate, and it is determined that the person being assisted M1 is in the disembarking area (platform) to board the train (No in S113), the tag ID is not used for the determination, and the assistance necessity confirmation process is terminated without performing the processing from step S103 onwards.

[0077] Thus, if the tag ID read by the first wireless communication device installed on the platform has already been read by the second wireless communication device installed at the ticket gate, that is, if the person being assisted, M1, is boarding the train, no assistance request will be made. Therefore, it is possible to prioritize assistance when disembarking, when assistance is more likely to be needed than when boarding, while suppressing the notification of unnecessary assistance requests.

[0078] As a variation of this embodiment, if the tag ID read by the first wireless communication device installed on the platform is not read by the second wireless communication device, that is, if the person being assisted M1 is getting off the train, a predetermined assistance request may be instructed to the notification device 40 without determining whether assistance is needed (regardless of the result of the assistance need determination).

[0079] Specifically, as shown in the flowchart in Figure 10, if the determination process in step S113 determines that the person being assisted M1 has disembarked (Yes in S113), then after the assistance content confirmation process in step S103 identifies the specific assistance content, a predetermined assistance request, including information about the identified specific assistance content, is instructed to the notification device 40 (S107), without determining whether assistance is necessary (regardless of the result of the assistance necessity determination).

[0080] Since the person receiving assistance M1, having disembarked from the train, is unaware of the situation on the platform, in such cases, the safety of the person receiving assistance M1 can be prioritized by notifying the caregiver, station employee M2, of the need for assistance without considering the assistance information registered by the person receiving assistance M1 (regardless of the result of the assistance need assessment).

[0081] Furthermore, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment, which distinguishes between those receiving assistance who have disembarked from a train and those receiving assistance who are disembarking from a train and determines whether assistance is needed, can be applied to other embodiments as well.

[0082] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be further embodied as follows, for example. (1) In the assistance requirement confirmation process performed by the control unit 31 of the server 30, depending on the status of the tag ID which is determined not to require assistance, it may be determined that assistance is required for the person being assisted M1 regardless of the assistance information registered in the database of the storage unit 32. Specifically, for example, if the tag ID which is determined not to require assistance is continuously read by the same wireless communication device 20, that is, if the wireless tag 11 is deemed not to have moved for a certain period of time, it may be determined that assistance is required for the person being assisted M1 regardless of the assistance information registered in the database of the storage unit 32. Even in locations where the person being cared for, M1, has registered that they do not require assistance, assistance may become necessary due to changes in the surrounding environment. Therefore, if the wireless tag 11 whose tag ID has been read is deemed not to have moved for a certain period of time, that is, if the person being cared for, M1 remains within the designated monitoring area for a certain period of time, the system determines that the person being cared for, M1, is requesting assistance. This allows the person being cared for, M1, to request assistance on the spot even in situations where they had registered that they did not require assistance, thereby improving the convenience of this system.

[0083] (2) Furthermore, assuming that each wireless communication device 20 is provided with a tag height detection unit capable of detecting the height of the wireless tag 11 from a reference surface (e.g., the floor) whose tag ID has been read by the wireless communication device 20, the assistance need confirmation process performed by the control unit 31 of the server 30 may determine that assistance is needed for the person being assisted M1, regardless of the assistance information registered in the database of the storage unit 32, if the height of the wireless tag 11 that has recorded a tag ID that is determined not to require assistance from the reference surface is deemed to be above a predetermined height (e.g., from the chest up, above the head, etc.). If the height of the wireless tag 11 from which the tag ID has been read is deemed to be above a predetermined height, that is, if the person requiring assistance M1 is holding the wireless tag 11 high within the predetermined monitoring area, the system determines that the person requiring assistance M1 is requesting assistance. This allows the person requiring assistance M1 to request assistance on the spot, even if they had previously registered that they did not require assistance, thereby improving the convenience of this system. As the tag height detection unit described above, for example, two wireless communication devices 20 can be used, one at a high position and the other at a low position, with different heights from the reference plane, for reading wireless tags 11 within the same monitoring area. In this configuration, if the received signal strength (RSSI) of the same wireless tag 11 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value at the high-position wireless communication device 20 than at the low-position wireless communication device 20, the height of the wireless tag 11 from the reference plane can be considered to be greater than or equal to the predetermined height. Furthermore, depending on the positional relationship between the high-position wireless communication device 20 and the low-position wireless communication device 20, if only the high-position wireless communication device 20 reads the tag, the height of the read wireless tag 11 from the reference plane can be considered to be greater than or equal to the predetermined height.

[0084] (3) The notification device 40 is not limited to being configured as a computer located in the station office used by station staff M2, but may also be a portable terminal carried by an assistant such as station staff M2. In this case, the portable terminal can notify the assistant of a predetermined assistance request instructed by the server 30 (such as the location of the ticket gate that the person being assisted M1 is about to pass through and the assistance required for that person being assisted M1) using screen display, voice guidance, LED illumination status, etc. This allows the assistant to check the prescribed assistance request even while on the move. For example, by sequentially transmitting image data captured by the imaging device 50 near the entrance of the ticket gate that the person being assisted M1 is about to pass through to the portable terminal, the assistant can check the status of the person being assisted M1 in real time. Similarly, by sequentially transmitting image data captured by the imaging device 50 near the disembarking area where the person being assisted M1 has disembarked to the portable terminal, the assistant can check the status of the person being assisted M1 who has disembarked in real time.

[0085] (4) The wireless tag 11 is not limited to being attached to the white cane 10, but may also be attached to personal belongings used by the person being assisted M1 when going out, such as a designated display plate. The wireless tag 11 may also be attached to guide dogs, service dogs, wheelchairs, etc., which correspond to the concept of personal belongings mentioned above, or to items worn by guide dogs or service dogs.

[0086] (5) The assistance system 1 according to the present invention is not limited to being used as a system for notifying caregivers of information about persons receiving assistance, such as visually impaired persons, as described above. For example, it may be used as a system for notifying caregivers of information about persons receiving assistance, such as physically disabled persons who use wheelchairs. Furthermore, the assistance system 1 according to the present invention is not limited to being used as a system for notifying station staff who are to act as caregivers of information about persons receiving assistance who use stations, as described above. For example, it may be used as a system for notifying facility managers or other persons who are to act as caregivers of information about persons receiving assistance who use public facilities.

[0087] 1…Assistance system 10…White cane (possession) 11… Wireless tags 20… Wireless communication devices 30… Server 31...Control Unit (Assistance Needs Determination Unit, Instruction Unit, Movement Direction Determination Unit) 32...Storage section 35… Communications Department (Instruction Department) 40…Notification device 50…Imaging device M1…Recipient of care M2…Station staff (helper)

Claims

1. An assistance system that notifies caregivers of information about persons requiring assistance, A wireless tag attached to the belongings of the person being cared for, on which identifying information that can identify the person being cared for is recorded, A wireless communication device that reads the specific information from the wireless tag within a designated monitoring area, A server that monitors the reading results from the aforementioned wireless communication device, A notification device that notifies the caregiver of a predetermined assistance request instructed by the server as information concerning the person being assisted, An imaging device that sets the predetermined monitoring area as the imaging range, Equipped with, The aforementioned server, A storage unit in which assistance information relating to the assistance needed by the person being assisted is registered in association with the specified information, An assistance necessity determination unit determines whether assistance is necessary for the person being assisted, who is identified from the specific information read from the wireless tag by the wireless communication device, based on the assistance information registered in the storage unit. When the assistance necessity determination unit determines that the person to be assisted needs assistance, the instruction unit instructs the notification device to issue the predetermined assistance request, Equipped with, The assistance system is characterized in that the predetermined assistance request includes image data captured by the imaging device when the specific information is read by the wireless communication device.

2. A care system that notifies caregivers of information about persons requiring assistance, A wireless tag attached to the belongings of the person being cared for, on which identifying information that can identify the person being cared for is recorded, A wireless communication device that reads the specific information from the wireless tag within a designated monitoring area, A server that monitors the reading results from the aforementioned wireless communication device, A notification device that notifies the caregiver of a predetermined assistance request instructed by the server as information concerning the person being assisted, Equipped with, The aforementioned server, A storage unit in which assistance information relating to the assistance needed by the person being assisted is registered in association with the specified information, An assistance necessity determination unit determines whether assistance is necessary for the person being assisted, who is identified from the specific information read from the wireless tag by the wireless communication device, based on the assistance information registered in the storage unit. When the assistance necessity determination unit determines that the person to be assisted needs assistance, the instruction unit instructs the notification device to issue the predetermined assistance request, A movement direction determination unit that determines whether the movement direction of the wireless tag from which the specific information has been read by the wireless communication device is a predetermined direction requiring assistance, Equipped with, The assistance system is characterized in that, when the movement direction determination unit determines that the movement direction of the wireless tag is different from the predetermined direction, the instruction unit does not issue a predetermined assistance request to the notification device, regardless of the determination result by the assistance necessity determination unit.

3. A care system that notifies caregivers of information about persons requiring assistance, A wireless tag attached to the belongings of the person being cared for, on which identifying information that can identify the person being cared for is recorded, A wireless communication device that reads the specific information from the wireless tag within a designated monitoring area, A server that monitors the reading results from the aforementioned wireless communication device, A notification device that notifies the caregiver of a predetermined assistance request instructed by the server as information concerning the person being assisted, Equipped with, The aforementioned server, A storage unit in which assistance information relating to the assistance needed by the person being assisted is registered in association with the specified information, An assistance necessity determination unit determines whether assistance is necessary for the person being assisted, who is identified from the specific information read from the wireless tag by the wireless communication device, based on the assistance information registered in the storage unit. When the assistance necessity determination unit determines that the person to be assisted needs assistance, the instruction unit instructs the notification device to issue the predetermined assistance request, Equipped with, The aforementioned designated monitoring area is the disembarking area on the station platform through which people who have disembarked from a stopped train pass, The assistance system is characterized in that the wireless communication device is arranged to read the specific information from the wireless tag that disembarks from the train stopped at the platform together with the person being assisted.

4. Of the multiple wireless communication devices provided, the first wireless communication device is positioned to designate the disembarking area as a predetermined monitoring area, and the second wireless communication device is positioned to designate the ticket gate of the same station as a predetermined monitoring area. The assistance system according to claim 3, characterized in that the assistance necessity determination unit determines whether the assistance is necessary if the specific information read by the first wireless communication device has not been read by the second wireless communication device, and does not determine whether the specific information has already been read by the second wireless communication device.

5. The assistance system according to claim 4, characterized in that if the specific information read by the first wireless communication device has not been read by the second wireless communication device, the instruction unit instructs the notification device to issue the predetermined assistance request, regardless of the determination result of the assistance necessity determination unit.

6. A care system that notifies caregivers of information about persons requiring assistance, A wireless tag attached to the belongings of the person being cared for, on which identifying information that can identify the person being cared for is recorded, A wireless communication device that reads the specific information from the wireless tag within a designated monitoring area, A server that monitors the reading results from the aforementioned wireless communication device, A notification device that notifies the caregiver of a predetermined assistance request instructed by the server as information concerning the person being assisted, A tag height detection unit that detects the height of the wireless tag from a reference plane, from which the specific information has been read by the wireless communication device, Equipped with, The aforementioned server, A storage unit in which assistance information relating to the assistance needed by the person being assisted is registered in association with the specified information, An assistance necessity determination unit determines whether assistance is necessary for the person being assisted, who is identified from the specific information read from the wireless tag by the wireless communication device, based on the assistance information registered in the storage unit. When the assistance necessity determination unit determines that the person to be assisted needs assistance, the instruction unit instructs the notification device to issue the predetermined assistance request, Equipped with, The assistance system is characterized in that the assistance necessity determination unit determines that assistance is necessary for the person being assisted, regardless of the information registered in the storage unit, when the height of the wireless tag from which the specific information has been read by the wireless communication device is deemed to be above a predetermined height.

7. A care system that notifies caregivers of information about persons requiring assistance, A wireless tag attached to the personal belongings of the person being cared for when going out, on which identifying information that can identify the person being cared for is recorded; A wireless communication device that reads the specific information from the wireless tag within a designated monitoring area, A server that monitors the reading results from the aforementioned wireless communication device, A notification device that notifies the caregiver of a predetermined assistance request instructed by the server as information concerning the person being assisted, Equipped with, The aforementioned server, A storage unit in which assistance information, including the content and conditions of assistance required by the person being assisted, is registered in association with the specified information, An assistance necessity determination unit determines whether assistance is necessary for the person being assisted, who is identified from the specific information read from the wireless tag by the wireless communication device, based on the assistance information registered in the storage unit. When the assistance necessity determination unit determines that the person to be assisted needs assistance, the instruction unit instructs the notification device to issue the predetermined assistance request, Equipped with, The assistance system is characterized in that the assistance information is registered in the storage unit so that the assistance content and assistance conditions can be changed in response to a request from the person receiving assistance.

8. The assistance system according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 6, or 7, characterized in that the predetermined assistance request includes information relating to the content of assistance identified from the assistance information registered in the storage unit.

9. The wireless communication device is installed in each of the multiple predetermined monitoring areas. The assistance system according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 6, or 7, characterized in that the predetermined assistance request includes information about the predetermined monitoring area read by the wireless communication device.

10. The memory unit stores notification destination information associated with the identification information of the person being assisted, for sending a predetermined notification to the person being assisted when the predetermined assistance request is notified to the caregiver. The assistance system according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 6, or 7, characterized in that when the instruction unit instructs the notification device to issue the predetermined assistance request, the server makes the predetermined notification using the notification destination information associated with the specific information of the person being assisted.

11. The assistance system according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 6, or 7, characterized in that the assistance necessity determination unit determines that assistance is necessary for the person being assisted, regardless of the information registered in the storage unit, when the wireless tag from which the specific information has been read by the wireless communication device is deemed not to have moved for a certain period of time.

12. The assistance system according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 6, or 7, characterized in that the notification device is a portable terminal carried by the caregiver.

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