A New Passenger Guide System for Visually Disabled Persons


Koichi GOTO,
Senior Engineer,
Communications Systems G.,
Transport Systems Development Div.,
Technological Development Dept.

Hiroshi MATSUBARA
Engineer
Communications Systems G.,
Transport Systems Development Div.,
Technological Development Dpt.

Shuichi MYOJO
Engineer
Communications Systems G.,
Transport Systems Development Div.,
Technological Development Dpt.



  This paper presents a new passenger guide system for visually disabled persons. The system utilizes the latest technologies such as data-carriers, mobile communication and portable computers. Data-carriers are embedded at many places in the station such as floors, platforms and walls. Coded data recorded in data-carriers are transferred to users via a reader installed in the cane of the user. The data are interpreted by a portable computer, which generates appropriate guide messages utilizing geographical information and user's personal data stored in it beforehand. Guide messages are finally conveyed orally to the user via a portable speaker.