GB2147701A

GB2147701A - Portable personal navigation aid

Info

Publication number: GB2147701A
Application number: GB08326900A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Leslie Freeston; Nicholas David Russell; Victor Lawrence Callaghan
Original assignee: University of Sheffield
Current assignee: University of Sheffield
Priority date: 1983-10-07
Filing date: 1983-10-07
Publication date: 1985-05-15
Also published as: GB8326900D0

Abstract

A navigation aid particularly for a blind person comprises a microcomputer (MC) a battery (B1) for the microcomputer, a route memory (RM) for route data received from or read by the microcomputer, a program memory (PM) for controlling the manner in which the microcomputer processes route data from the route memory, a mode switch (MS) determining the mode of the microcomputer a pedometer (P) for feeding to the microcomputer signals corresponding to progress made by the user, push-button switches (PBS) enabling the entry of directives into the microcomputer and to enter route data into the route memory or read route data from the route memory and a microphone (A0) to give the user a signal corresponding to the route data read by the microcomputer. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Portable personal navigation aid This invention relates to a navigation aid more particularly - but not exclusively - to one that can be carried by a blind or partially sighted person.

The invention makes use of electronic devices, basically a route memory and a logic circuit to provide the user with guidance data necessary to negotiate at least one given route between two points, and to monitor displacement from either point automatically, all within a compact portable unit.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a navigation aid that can be programmed by the user for any route, but which can also be controlled by the user to allow for deviation from or within that route.

According to the present invention, a navigation aid comprises a logic circuit, a power source for the logic circuit, a route memory for route data received from or read by the logic circuit, a program memory for controlling the manner in which the logic circuit processes route data from the route memory, a mode switch determining the mode of the logic circuit, (for example "Record" or "Forward" or "Reverse" route playback), a transducer for feeding to the logic circuit signals corresponding to progress made by the user, means for enabling the entry of directives into the logic circuit (for example, "Stop/ Start" or "Pause") and to enter route data into the route memory (mode switch on "Record") or read route data from the route memory (mode switch on "Forward" or "Reverse"), and an output to give the user a signal corresponding to the route data read by the logic circuit.

The route memory can be provided with route data by entering directives by means of push-button switches while physically negotiating the chosen route, distance between directives being automatically monitored by the transducer (which may be a pedometer) and recorded in the route memory. The directives will include both direction and warning data, signifying a 'command' or 'decision' point when using the aid subsequently to negotiate the programmed route (such as "Right Turn", "Left Turn" and "Cross Roads-Junction", "Step(s)", "Pedestrian Crossing".

The route memory can also be provided with route data by transferring it automatically from prerecorded data banks, or by entering the information from an accurately scaled map by means of an electronic processor, e.g., one adapted to take into account the specific walk (i.e., length of pace) of the user.

During subsequent negotiation of the route, the aid guides the user by presenting signals or 'prompts' (which may be aducible) based upon the distance (e.g., number of paces) from an approaching 'command' or 'decision' point and then signals corresponding to the command to be followed or the decision to be taken, until a signal (e.g., 'stop' signifies arrival at the end of the route. The "pause" switch allows the user to stop the recording or playback if the user stops moving whilst en route.

In addition to providing for directives (such as "Stop/Start", Pause", etc.), the switches may also provide for selection of routes, the switches preferably being at least ten in number and numbered 0 to 9. Even a small battery for the route memory can ensure that data is stored and available for playback for a number of yea rs. Any spare switch and/or additional switch may serve as a 'custom key' for the user's own designation, such as "Repeat last Output" or "Erase Error". Any route no longer required can be 'overwritten' with a new one.

The signals may be visual (e.g., a "head-up display") various combinations of frequency and duration of audible tone, or a voice synthesiser may be provided between the logic circuit and the signal output.

The aid may be of use to blind or partially sighted persons to compliment existing mobility techniques such as the use of a long (white) cane. To this end, the transducer is a pedometer, which may be an inertia switch within a box unit housing the complete aid and provided with attachment means (such as a belt, harness or clip) for carrying it on the user in a position (adjacent hip or thigh) where the inertia switch is actuated in response to walking movement, and "On/Off", mode and push-button switches are conveniently arrayed in two groups on opposite sides of the box, for simple operation of the respective switches by thumb or fingers of one hand.

The logic circuit is conveniently a microcomputer with a battery disposed in a plug-in holder at one (lower) end of the box, an being disposed at the other (upper) end. However, the audio-output could alternatively comprise an earphone connected to the unit by a lead.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa block circuit diagram of a navigation aid in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is the rear view of a box unit for the aid of Figure 1; Figure 3 is the front view of the box unit of Figure 2; and Figures 4 and 5 are respective side views of the box unit as seen from the left and right respectively of Figure 3.

In Figure 1 the components of the navigation aid are denoted as follows:microcomputer MC, its battery B1 and "On/Off" switch S route memory RM and its battery B2 program memory PM mode switch MS pedometer P push-button switches PBS audio-output AO and like reference letters are used for those components visible in Figures 2 to 5, which also show a box unit 10 within which the complete aid is housed, the unit being secured by a screw 11 and large knurled nut 12 to a belt 13 by which means the aid can be attached to the user, and the battery B1 for the microcomputer being disposed in a plug-in holder 14 at the lower end of the box 10, while the audio-output AO is disposed at the upper end.

The aid may be of use to a sighted person to traverse an unfamiliar route, or may be used to like effect by a person travelling in a vehicle, e.g., a motor coach, car or other non-guided vehicle.

Claims

1. A navigation aid comprising a logic circuit, a power source for the logic circuit, a route memory for route data received from or read by the logic circuit, a program memory for controlling the manner in which the logic circuit processes route data from the route memory, a mode switch determining the mode of the logic circuit, a transducer for feeding to the logic circuit signals corresponding to progress made by the user, means for enabling the entry of directives into the logic circuit and to enter route data into the route memory or read route data from the route memory and an output to give the user a signal corresponding to the route data read by the logic circuit.

2. A navigation aid as in claim 1, wherein the route memory is provided with route data by entering directives by means of push-button switches while physically negotiating the chosen route, distance between directives being automatically monitored by the transducer and recorded in the route memory.

3. A navigation aid as in claim 2, wherein the transducer is a pedometer.

4. A navigation aid as in claim 1, wherein the route memory is provided with route data by transferring it automatically from pre-recorded data banks, or by entering the information from an accurately scaled map by means of an electronic processor.

5. A navigation aid as in claim 4, wherein the electronic processor is one adapted to take into account the specific walk of the user.

6. A navigation aid as in claim 2, wherein the switches also provide for selection of routes.

7. A navigation aid as in claim 2 or claim 6, wherein there are ten switches numbered 0 to 9.

8. A navigation aid as in any one of claims 2,6 or 7, wherein a spare and/or additional switch serves as a "custom key" for the user's own designation.

9. A navigation aid as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the signals are various combinations of frequency and duration of audible tone.

10. A navigation aid as in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a voice synthesiser is provided between the logic circuit and the signal output.

11. A navigation aid as in claim 3, wherein the transducer, which is a pedometer, is an inertia switch within a box unit housing the complete aid and provided with attachment means for carrying it on the user in a position where the inertia switch is actuated in response to walking movement.

12. A navigation aid as in claim 11, wherein "On/Off", mode and push-button switches are arranyed in two groups on opposite sides of the box, for simple operation of the respective switches by thumb orfingers of one hand.

13. A navigation aid as in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the logic circuit is a microcomputer with a battery disposed in a plug-in holder at one end of the box, a microphone being disposed at the other end.

14. A navigation aid as in claim 13, wherein the audio output comprises, instead of a microphone, an earphone connected to the unit by a lead.

15. A navigation aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.