JP2003240592A - Method for automatically creating barrier-free map for wheelchair user and navigation system therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for automatically creating a barrier-free map for a wheelchair user and to provide a navigation system for a wheelchair capable of easily using the created barrier-free map. <P>SOLUTION: In the method for automatically creating the barrier-free map for the wheelchair user, by repeatedly measuring location of the wheelchair 3 during its passage, routes through which the wheelchair 3 has passed are specified. By overwriting the specified routes of passage of the wheelchair 3 on a map registered in a database 6, an original drawing to be an element of the barrier-free map for the wheelchair user on which the routes passable for the wheelchair 3 are displayed is created. On the basis of the original drawing, the barrier-free map for the wheelchair user on which the routes passable for the wheelchair 3 are ranked and displayed according to the frequency of passage of the wheelchair 3, or the barrier-free map for the wheelchair user on which the routes having a high frequency of passage of the wheelchair 3 are preferentially displayed is created. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for automatically creating a barrier-free map for wheelchair users and a navigation system for wheelchair users, which is used by persons with disabilities and the elderly.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a wheelchair user travels on an outdoor road using a wheelchair, the route through which the wheelchair can pass is often unknown, so that the range of action of the wheelchair user is restricted. In order to deal with this, volunteers and others actually walked in wheelchairs, surveyed the routes accessible by wheelchairs, and manually created a route map and made it public.

[0003]

However, the preparation of a wheelchair-accessible route map by such a method takes a long time for investigation. There was also a limit to making maps manually. In addition, since it takes a lot of money to improve the contents of the map, the current situation is that there is only a map of an access guide to specific facilities such as an amusement park. Therefore, there has been a demand for a method that can easily or automatically create a barrier-free map for wheelchair users. There is also a demand for a navigation system that allows wheelchair users to easily use the created barrier-free map.

JP-A-2001-101236 proposes a database construction system for wheelchair navigation in which sensors for measuring a road surface condition are mounted on a wheelchair and a necessary database is automatically constructed by using the wheelchair. Has been done. This system is equipped with a step gauge, a road width meter, and an inclinometer on a wheelchair to build a database of road steps, road widths, and inclinations. However, when a wheelchair user actually travels, it is time-consuming, time-consuming, and impractical to determine a route by considering detailed numerical values such as road level differences, road widths, and slopes.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-304908, an information center having map information useful for wheelchair users when moving in a wheelchair is accessed by mobile communication to obtain map data corresponding to the current position. A navigation system to download is proposed. However, this system uses existing map information, and does not mention anything about how to collect map information.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a method for automatically creating a barrier-free map for wheelchair users and a navigation system for wheelchair users that can easily use the created barrier-free map for wheelchair users. The purpose is to do.

[0007]

According to the method of automatically creating a barrier-free map for wheelchair users of the present invention, the route taken by the wheelchair is specified by repeatedly measuring the position of the wheelchair during the passage. It is characterized by creating a barrier-free map for wheelchair users in which wheelchair accessible routes are displayed by overwriting wheelchair accessible routes on a map registered in a database.

Further, the method of automatically creating a barrier-free map for wheelchair users of the present invention identifies the route taken by the wheelchair by repeatedly measuring the position of the wheelchair that is passing, and the route of the identified wheelchair. Is overwritten on the map registered in the database to create a basic map that is an element of the barrier-free map for wheelchair users in which wheelchair accessible routes are displayed, and the wheelchair is based on the basic map. Create a barrier-free map for wheelchair users in which the routes that can be traveled by are ranked according to the frequency of wheelchair traffic, or a wheelchair-accessible map that preferentially displays routes with a high frequency of wheelchair traffic. It is characterized by doing. When accumulating the travel route in the database, it is preferable that information useful for the wheelchair user collected by the wheelchair user is accumulated in the database and displayed on the wheelchair barrier-free map.

The wheelchair user navigation system of the present invention has a wheelchair current position measuring means for repeatedly measuring the current position of the wheelchair by repeatedly communicating with GPS satellites. Creating a barrier-free map for wheelchair users that has a current position transmitting means, has a function of providing information for a wheelchair user, and has route information input means for searching a barrier-free map, and a barrier-free map on the terminal. Mounted on a wheelchair, which has a barrier-free map display means for displaying, and a current position display means for displaying the current position of the wheelchair measured by the current position measurement means on the barrier-free screen of the system user's terminal. , A terminal capable of transmitting and receiving data, and the current position of the wheelchair repeatedly transmitted from the current position information transmitting means. A route specifying means for specifying a wheelchair-accessible route, a function for overwriting the route specified by the route specifying means on a map registered in a database, and creating a schematic diagram which is an element of a barrier-free map; Barrier-free map creating means having the function of creating a barrier-free map ranked according to the wheelchair traffic frequency or a barrier-free map in which routes with a high traffic frequency are preferentially displayed, based on the drawing. Barrier-free search means for searching the barrier-free map stored in the database according to the route search information input by the route search information input means, and barrier-free map transmission means for transmitting the searched barrier-free map to the terminal. It has a data center and a communication network for communicating between the terminal and the data center.

[0010]

According to the method of automatically creating a barrier-free map for wheelchair users of the present invention, the wheelchair equipped with means for measuring the current position of the wheelchair automatically creates a barrier-free map for wheelchair users based on the route traveled by the wheelchair. It is extremely convenient because it can be created automatically. In addition, it is possible to create a barrier-free map for wheelchair users in which wheelchair-accessible routes are ranked according to the wheelchair traffic frequency, or a barrier-free map that preferentially displays routes with frequent wheelchair traffic. , It is possible to provide a reliable barrier-free map for wheelchair users. At that time, by using GPS satellites, the current position of the wheelchair can be accurately measured,
Can be displayed.

Further, the navigation system for wheelchair users of the present invention can create a barrier-free map for wheelchair users by the method of the present invention, and the created map can be easily used. Extremely convenient for the user. Moreover, since the barrier-free map in which the routes that the wheelchair travels frequently are ranked or displayed preferentially can be used, it is possible to use the map with high reliability and at ease.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A method for automatically creating a wheelchair user barrier-free map (hereinafter referred to as a barrier-free map) and a system configuration of a wheelchair user navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. To do. Figure 1
In the above, wheelchairs 3 of the system users 1 and 2 are equipped with terminals 4 capable of transmitting and receiving data (two users are shown for convenience of illustration). The terminal 4 is configured to be connectable via a communication means 5 such as the Internet to a data center 8 having a server 6 and a database 6 in which the route information of the wheelchair 3 that can pass through is stored. In addition, the terminal 4 uses a GPS (Global Positionin
gSystem) It has a system for receiving a GPS signal for measuring the current position of the wheelchair 3 from the satellite 9.

The system user of the present invention uses the barrier-free map for wheelchair users (hereinafter referred to as "map creation information provider") 1 or the barrier-free map for wheelchair users each time the system is used. Person (hereinafter referred to as a map user) 2.

Here, the location information passed by the wheelchair 3 is transmitted to the data center 8 with the cartographic information provider 1,
A person who provides information for creating barrier-free maps. If there is no barrier-free map in the data center 8 between the starting position and the target position, the cartographic information provider 1
Position information transmitted by the wheelchair 3 without the barrier-free map is transmitted to the data center 8 by the terminal device 4. If the data center 8 has a barrier-free map between the departure position and the target position, the map creation information provider 1 travels according to the barrier-free map, and the position information passed by the wheelchair 3 is transferred to the terminal 4 To the data center 8. On the other hand,
The map user 2 is a system user who searches for and uses a wheelchair-accessible barrier-free map by inputting search information of the starting position and the target position of the wheelchair 3 into the terminal device 4.

Next, the configuration of the navigation system for wheelchair users according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Since the user of this system becomes the cartographic information provider 1 or the map user 2 each time the system is used as described above, the terminal 4 mounted on the wheelchair 3 of the user of this system is A free map creation information providing function 10 and a barrier-free map use function 11 are provided.

Barrier-free map creation information providing function 10
The current position measuring means 12 for repeatedly measuring the current position (latitude, longitude) of the wheelchair 3 by repeating communication with the GPS satellite 9 in a predetermined time unit, and the current position of the wheelchair 3 measured by the current position measuring means 12. It has current position information output means 13 for transmitting the position to the data center 8.

Barrier-free map use function 11
The route search information input means 14 for inputting the current position and the target position of the wheelchair 3 measured by the current position measuring means 12 as search information for searching the barrier-free map, and the search result in the data center 8. The barrier-free map display means 15 for displaying a certain barrier-free map on the terminal 4 and the barrier-free map displayed on the screen of the terminal 4 display the current position of the wheelchair 3 measured by the current position measuring means 12. Present position display means 16 for
Have.

The server 7 of the data center 8 specifies the current position information of the wheelchair 3, which is repeatedly transmitted every predetermined time unit, as a route through which the wheelchair 3 can pass, by means of a route specifying means 1.
Have 7. The route specifying means 17 has a function of connecting the points of latitude and longitude, which are position information repeatedly transmitted every predetermined unit time, and specifying a continuous route.

The server 7 also has a barrier-free map creating means 18. Barrier-free map creation means 18
A function of overwriting the route specified by the route information specifying means 17 on the map registered in the database 6 to create a map (see FIGS. 4 to 9) which is an element of the barrier-free map, and stores it in the database. A barrier-free map (see FIG. 10) ranked and displayed according to the traffic frequency of the wheelchair 3 is created based on these sketches, or a barrier in which a route with a high traffic frequency is preferentially displayed. It has a function of creating a free map (see FIG. 11). The created barrier-free map is registered in the database 6.

Further, the server 8 searches the barrier-free map search means 19 for searching the barrier-free map stored in the database, based on the route search information input from the map user 2 by the route search information input means 14. It has a barrier-free map transmitting means 20 for transmitting the barrier-free map to the terminal device 4. The server 7 also has means for assigning an ID to each user, ID authentication means for recognizing the usage status of each user, and a charging processing function for charging from the usage status of each user.

Next, regarding the operation of the above-mentioned configuration,
A description will be given based on the flowchart of FIG. First, a person who becomes a user of this system registers for membership, a member registration process is performed, and an ID is issued (step 1). And
When a registered user of the system connects to this system, ID authentication is performed and processing such as automatic withdrawal monthly charge from a bank account is performed (step 2). Next, the system user 2 selects which of the barrier-free map creation information providing function 10 and the barrier-free map use function 11 is used (step 3).

Barrier-free map creation information providing function 10
If is selected, the current position measuring means 12 obtains the current position (latitude, longitude) of the wheelchair 3 through the current position inquiry (step S1) and the communication with the GPS satellite 9 (step S2). 3). The acquired current position of the wheelchair 3 is transmitted to the data center 8 by the current position information output means 13 via the communication means 5 (step S4). Then, in a predetermined unit time, steps S1 to S1.
By repeating step S4, the route specifying means 1
The travel route of the wheelchair 3 is specified by 7, and the barrier-free map creating means 18 creates a barrier-free map.

-Direction, barrier-free map information utilization function 11
If is selected, the route search information input means 14 inputs the starting position and the target position of the wheelchair 3 into the terminal 4 (step T1). Based on this search information, the data center 8 uses the barrier-free map search means 19 and the barrier-free map transmission means 20 to obtain the search result of the barrier-free map via the communication means 5 and the terminal 4 of the map user 2.
Send to. Then, the barrier-free map display means 15 displays the search result of the barrier-free map on the terminal 4 of the map user 2 (step T2). In addition, the terminal 4 of the map user 2 measures the current position of the wheelchair 3 through the position measuring means 12 through the current position inquiry (step T3) and the communication with the GPS satellite 9 (step T4). The measured current position of the wheelchair 3 is displayed on the screen of the terminal 4 by the current position display means 16 (step T5). The current position of the wheelchair 3 displayed on the barrier-free map screen is moved and displayed on the route by repeating steps T3 to T5 in predetermined time units.

Next, a specific example of creating a barrier-free map will be described. FIG. 4 to FIG. 11 show specific examples of diagrams that are the elements of the barrier-free map for creating the barrier-free map. Among these drawings, FIGS. 4 to 9 show routes transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the data center 8 by the cartographic information provider 1 passing through the same map area by the wheelchair 3.

The path of the wheelchair 3 shown in FIG.
It is point F via points B, C, D, and E. The travel route of the wheelchair 3 in FIG. 5 is from point G to points H, C, D, and E and F.
The traveling route of the wheelchair 3 in FIG. 6 is from the point I to the points C, D, J, and K. The traveling route of the wheelchair 3 in FIG. 7 is from point L to point N, P, B, C, D, and point E and point Q. The traveling route of the wheelchair 3 in FIG. 8 is from point S to N, P, H, C,
It is U point via D, J and T points. The traveling route of the wheelchair 3 shown in FIG. 9 is from the point V to the point U and via the point T to the point X. The route information of FIGS. 4 to 9 is transmitted from the terminal 4 to the data center 8,
It is registered in the database 6.

In addition, the number of times the wheelchair 3 has passed along each route is stored in the database 6 as route information.
In the case of FIGS. 4 to 9, the route CD is 5 times, the DE is 3 times,
BC, EF, CH, DJ, NP, TU twice, AB, B
P, IC, EQ, GH, HP, JT, JK, LN, N
S, TX, UV once. FIG. 10 shows a specific example of the barrier-free map of this map area created as described above.

On the screen actually displayed on the terminal device 4, for example, the wheelchair 3 is displayed between CDs whose track count is 5 times.
It is displayed in red as a highly reliable route that can be traveled by. In the DE where the wheelchair traffic count is 3 times, the reliability is medium and displayed in pink. Wheelchairs with a track record of 2 times BC, EF, CH, DJ, and TU are displayed in yellow because of low reliability. In addition, wheelchair traffic record is 1
AB, BP, GH, HP, JK, LN, NP, N
It is displayed in blue between S, TX, and UV because there is a track record of wheelchair traffic.

The current position of the wheelchair 3 used by the map user 2 is displayed on the barrier-free map on the screen of the terminal 4 of the map user 2. FIG. 11 is a specific example of a barrier-free map that displays a route in which CD, DE, and BC, which are the most frequent routes, are preferentially selected as the optimal route for wheelchairs between the starting position and the destination position. It is shown.

The system of the present invention can be used by wheelchair users as well as related persons such as family members who confirm the safety of system users who pass by wheelchairs. In this case, the current position of the system user is recognized by the family terminal by the GPS satellite. The family terminal may have a specification in which the communication function with the GPS satellite is omitted from the terminal for the system user. Family terminal users can use the system
Try to use the ID of the system user who can pass in a wheelchair.

Information about toilets, wheelchair-accessible pedestrian bridges, escalators, etc., which is useful for the system user while traveling in a wheelchair, is collected by the wheelchair user while traveling in a wheelchair, and stored in a database in advance. It may be registered as a user terminal menu and selected by pressing a button or the like to be displayed on the route map.

Further, in the above description, an example in which a GPS satellite is used as a means for measuring the current position of the wheelchair has been given.
In addition to this, it is also possible to use PHS, a tag, infrared rays, Bluetooth, or the like. Further, in the billing process (step 2) shown in FIG. 3, when the barrier-free map creation information providing function is used as the usage method (step 3), depending on the effectiveness of the information such as the development of a new route, It is preferable to add a function for negative charging. By doing so, the number of users of the information providing function is increased, the barrier-free map is smoothly updated, and the availability and reliability of the barrier-free map can be improved.

The screen of the barrier-free map described above can be applied not only to the navigation system of the present invention but also to other systems. It can also be printed and issued. In addition to the wheelchair, the system of the present invention can construct a system by collecting route information that can be passed for each specific passage means.

[0033]

According to the method of automatically creating a barrier-free map for wheelchair users of the present invention, a wheelchair-equipped barrier-free map for wheelchair users is provided based on the route traveled by the wheelchair by means of a wheelchair equipped with means for measuring the current position of the wheelchair. It is extremely convenient because it can be created automatically. In addition, it is possible to create a barrier-free map for wheelchair users in which wheelchair-accessible routes are ranked according to the wheelchair traffic frequency, or a barrier-free map that preferentially displays routes with frequent wheelchair traffic. , It is possible to provide a reliable barrier-free map for wheelchair users. At that time, GPS
By using the satellite, the current position of the wheelchair can be accurately measured and displayed.

Further, the wheelchair user navigation system of the present invention is very convenient for wheelchair users because the barrier-free map for wheelchair users created by the method of the present invention can be easily used. Moreover, since the barrier-free map in which the routes that the wheelchair travels frequently are ranked or displayed preferentially can be used, it is possible to use the map with high reliability and at ease.

The navigation system of the present invention is convenient because it can be used by wheelchair users as well as related persons such as family members who confirm the safety of system users who pass by wheelchairs.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a barrier-free map creation method and a wheelchair user navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for creating a barrier-free map for wheelchair users and a navigation system for wheelchair users according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a barrier-free map creating method and a wheelchair user navigation system system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a barrier-free map according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of a barrier-free map according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of a barrier-free map according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of a barrier-free map according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of a barrier-free map according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of a barrier-free map according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a barrier-free map according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of a barrier-free map according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ………… Map creation information provider, 2 ………… Map user, 3
……… Wheelchair, 4 ……… Terminal, 5 ……… Communication means, 6
... database, 7 ... server, 8 data center, 9 GPS satellite, 10 barrier-free map creation information providing function, 11 barrier-free map use function, 12 ... ... current position measuring means 13, ... current position information transmitting means 14, 14 ... route search information input means,
15 ... Barrier-free map display means, 16 ... Current position display means, 17 ... Route identification means, 18 ... Barrier-free map creation means, 19 ......... Barrier-free map search means, 20 ... … Barrier-free map transmission method

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A wheelchair is identified by repeatedly measuring the position of a wheelchair during traffic, thereby identifying a route traveled by the wheelchair, and overwriting the traffic route of the identified wheelchair on a map registered in a database. A method for automatically creating a barrier-free map for wheelchair users, which is characterized by creating a barrier-free map for wheelchair users that displays routes that can be traveled by. 2. A wheelchair is identified by repeatedly measuring the position of the wheelchair during the passage, thereby identifying the route traveled by the wheelchair, and overwriting the identified route of the wheelchair on a map registered in the database. Create a basic map that is an element of the barrier-free map for wheelchair users that displays the accessible routes of the wheelchair, and based on the basic map, the accessible routes of the wheelchair are ranked according to the frequency of wheelchair traffic. Automatic creation of a barrier-free map for wheelchair users, which is characterized by creating a displayed barrier-free map for wheelchair users or a barrier-free map for wheelchair users that preferentially displays routes with frequent wheelchair traffic. Method. 3. When the wheelchair traffic route is stored in the database, the information collected by the wheelchair user that is useful to the wheelchair user is stored in the database and displayed on the wheelchair barrier-free map. Claim 1
Or the method for automatically creating a barrier-free map for wheelchair users described in 2. 4. A current position transmitting means for transmitting a current position of the wheelchair measured by the current position measuring means, which has a current position measuring means of the wheelchair for repeatedly measuring the current position of the wheelchair by repeatedly communicating with a GPS satellite. Creating a barrier-free map for wheelchair users with a function to provide information to the user, and route information input means for searching the barrier-free map, and a barrier-free map display for displaying the barrier-free map on the terminal. And a current position display means for displaying the current position of the wheelchair measured by the current position measuring means on the barrier-free screen of the terminal of the system user, the terminal being mounted on the wheelchair and capable of transmitting and receiving data. And a route specifying means for specifying a traveling route of the wheelchair from the current position of the wheelchair repeatedly transmitted from the current position information transmitting means, Based on the function of creating a map that is an element of a barrier-free map by overwriting the route specified by the route specifying means on the map registered in the database, and according to the wheelchair traffic frequency, Barrier-free map creation means having a function of creating a ranked barrier-free map or a barrier-free map in which high-frequency routes are preferentially displayed, and route search information input by the route search information input means A data center having barrier-free search means for searching the barrier-free map stored in the database by means of the above, and a barrier-free map transmission means for transmitting the searched barrier-free map to the terminal, the terminal and the data center A navigation system for wheelchair users, characterized by having a communication network for communicating with each other.