GB2590409A

GB2590409A - Assistive device providing traffic light control activation for multiple disability use

Info

Publication number: GB2590409A
Application number: GB1918538.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Pearson Stephen; Okonkwo Emmanuel
Original assignee: SMART TECH Ltd
Current assignee: SMART TECH Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-16
Filing date: 2019-12-16
Publication date: 2021-06-30
Also published as: GB202019866D0; GB201918538D0; GB2592116A

Abstract

A radio frequency (RF) transceiver switch system a switch that changes state when an RF signal is received. The switch may be used by disabled people lacking the dexterity, reach or vision to use a call-button to initiate pedestrian crossing light change demand. It may receive a coded RF signal from a blind cane, walking stick, shoe, push-button unit or pavement and activate the switch upon detecting a specific code which distinguishes the crossing from other nearby crossings. The system may further comprise a voltage sensing circuit and processor for monitoring voltages and voltage changes; a feedback circuit that monitors the status of input voltage feed circuits; and a voltage rectifier and voltage regulator circuit allowing for different input voltage feeds. It may transmit an (optionally coded) RF or audio signal to visual display device or to an assistive device which delivers an audio message as to the status of the voltage feed circuits or the pedestrian crossing; or relating to the signal.

Description

Title: Assistive device providing Traffic Light Control activation for multiple disability use

Description:

This invention relates to the automatic operation of a pedestrian traffic light control systems and in particular but without limitation to initiating pedestrian crossing light change demand, but without limitation to, all electronic crossing activation units.

It has been proposed, such as in our earlier patent application GB1811515.4 [Pearson, 13 July 2018], to use a "Smart Cane" to help blind or partially-sighted people find their way around complex and/or unfamiliar environments. GB1811515.4 discloses a "Smart Cane", which has an RFID reader at its tip, which interacts with RFID tags on the floor or built into the environment. When the tip of the Smart Cane passes over an RFID tag, information is exchanged, which outputs an audible message into an ear bud that the person using the Smart Cane wears. Where approaching a pedestrian crossing for example, the Smart Cane can pass over an RFID tag, which is programmed to output a plain-speech message such as "pedestrian crossing left" so that the person using the Smart Cane is able to recognise that there is a pedestrian crossing nearby. The RFID tags can be programmed to have various different meanings, and the meanings can be programmed to have different audible messages associated with them, depending on the requirements of the user.

Activation of traffic light change control is generally done by the use of a push button or touch sensitive button on the traffic light demand control unit. This can cause potential issues for people with disabilities who may not be able to see where the push button is located due to visual impairment or may have difficulty manoeuvring into a position to press the button due to mobility issues which either require the use of a mobility scooter, wheelchair or other mobility aid, or be unable to press the button due to Parkinsons disease which may affect the dexterity to do this or due to paralysis or missing limbs.

This invention aims to provide a solution to one or more of the above problems and/or provide an improved and/or alternative assistive technology device.

The use of an assistive device to facilitate and initiate the change sequence of traffic lights is therefore a solution to many of the difficulties faced by many disability groups. Using a radio frequency transceiver operating but not limited to the sub gigahertz frequency range, and a means of transmitting said signal to a corresponding radio frequency transceiver which is operating as a base station capable of initiating the demand button, this invention will enable the remote operation of the traffic light demand by users in the near vicinity of the crossing. The invention will initiate the crossing button, and provide audio information via a listening device for example but not limited to an earphone, speaker or other such audio device capable of producing sound in the audio frequency range as to the current state of the traffic lights. For example the audio messages that may be heard could include but are not limited to the following messages. "Crossing activated, please wait to cross", "Green man active, take care when crossing", Red man active, do not cross".

The assistive devices capable of initiating the activation of the invention connected to the demand is button will include but are not limited to a) a blind cane for visually impaired people.

b) a shoe insole with electronic transmission for visually impaired people, dementia sufferers, people with learning disabilities and people with amputations or paralysis in their limbs.

c) a walking stick for mobility impaired people, dementia sufferers.

d) a push button on a mobility scooter, wheelchair or assisted walking device for people with mobility issues.

e) a push button unit designed for people with Parkinsons.

The invention aims to overcome one or more of the aforementioned problems by connecting to the existing push to make/break demand button, mounted in or adjacent to the demand unit housing which when initiated by way of the radio frequency transmission causes the push button activation to commence.

The invention is not limited to use in pedestrian crossings, but can be utilised for activating any electronic switches where there is a need for someone with a disability to activate them without the need to actively touch or directly interact with the switch.

Preferred embodiments of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a Drawing showing the invention being activated by a shoe insole containing an electronic transceiver system used to trigger the demand control unit Figure 2 is a Drawing showing the invention being activated by a blind cane containing an electronic transceiver system used to trigger the demand control unit Figure 3 is a Drawing showing the invention being activated by a walking stick containing an electronic transceiver system used to trigger the demand control unit Figure 4 is a Drawing showing the invention being activated by a button on a mobility device containing an electronic transceiver system used to trigger the demand control unit Figure 5 is a Drawing showing the invention being activated by a device designed for people with Parkinsons containing an electronic transceiver system used to trigger the demand control unit Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the component parts of the invention and connections to the demand control unit.

The system is powered from the main control unit in which it is housed. It derives its power from available supplies within the control unit which are generally 48v AC but may also be 230v AC in some older models. The supply voltage is rectified and reduced to a suitable DC voltage to power the invention, which operates in a stand-by listening mode awaiting a trigger signal from an associated device in the ISM Sub-gigahertz frequency range, but may also be configured to receive trigger signals from other frequencies above that. Upon receipt of said signal the invention triggers a relay which in turn mimics the open/close operation of the push button switch which is the normal method of operation for a traffic light demand control unit. The invention then sends out an RF signal which may be a code or audio signal which provides an audio message to the user either by way of Bluetooth earpiece or speaker to provide a message to the user that the traffic light change has been activated. Once the relay has initiated the traffic light change sequence the invention is operatively monitoring the supply feed of the green person indication or invitation to cross indication contacts waiting to detect the illumination feed for the invitation to cross lights. Once the illumination supply feed illuminates the invitation to cross lights the invention transmits a further RF signal which may be a code or audio signal which provides an audio message to the user that the crossing invitation has been activated after which the user can make a decision to traverse the crossing. The invention continues to monitor the supply feed of the green person indication or invitation to cross as well as the do not cross illumination feed to detect when the invitation to cross feed has been removed. Once this is detected the invention transmits an RF signal which may be a code or audio signal which provides an audio message to the user that informs them not to cross as the traffic lights have changed.

The system can be initiated by a blind persons' assistive device that is fitted with compatible technology system as shown in fig land fig 2 that can communicate with the invention by way of RF transmission. In a preferred embodiment of this assistive device it is triggered by the receipt of an RFID sensor embedded in the crossing which is coded to only trigger the invention at the same crossing and not any other crossings in the vicinity. This ensures the security and integrity of the system in such a way that it does not interfere with other crossings in the vicinity that are fitted with the invention.

In another preferred embodiment of an assistive device for people with mobility impairments a device that is fitted with compatible technology system as shown in fig 4 that can communicate with the invention by way of RF transmission can be fitted to a mobility aid. The user with this device can initiate the RF signal transmission by pressing a button on a device fitted to the mobility aid which will initiate the transmission to the invention.

In another preferred embodiment of an assistive device for people with Parkinsons disease, as shown in Fig 5 who have difficulties pressing buttons, a hand-held device that is a tube shaped device with a button at both ends is fitted with compatible technology system that can communicate with the invention by way of RF transmission can be fitted to a mobility aid. The user with this device can initiate the RF signal transmission by pressing a button on the device which will initiate the transmission to the invention.

In another preferred embodiment of an assistive device for people with Dementia or Alzheimers a walking stick as shown in fig 3 that is fitted with compatible technology system that can communicate with the invention by way of RF transmission can be fitted with a switch to the walking stick or initiated by an RFID sensor embedded in the crossing is coded to only trigger the invention at the same crossing and not any other crossing in the vicinity. The user with this device can initiate the RF signal transmission by pressing a button fitted to the mobility aid which will initiate the transmission to the invention or by detecting the RFID sensor embedded in the crossing.

Claims

CLAIMS1. According to the invention, there is provided an RF transceiver switch system comprising: an RF transceiver for receiving a wireless signal a switch that changes state when an RF signal is received.
2. An RF switch system as in claim 1, wherein the system comprises an RF transceiver, a voltage sensing circuit and a relay or electronic switch.
3. An RF switch system as in claims 1 or claim 2 further comprising a voltage rectifier and voltage regulator circuit allowing for different input voltages feeds.
4. An RF switch as claimed in any of claims 1,2 or 3 wherein the system comprises a processor for monitoring the voltages and voltage changes.
5. An RF switch as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a short-range wireless transceiver, a processor, voltage rectification circuits with voltage regulation, voltage sensing circuits and relays, which when an RF signal is received from an assistive device, changes the state of the relay.
6. An RF switch as claimed in claim 5, wherein the RF transceiver upon receipt of an RF signal transmits a coded RF signal to an assistive device that then delivers an audio message to the user relating to the coded signal.
7. An RF switch as claimed in claim 6, wherein the RF transceiver upon receipt of an RF signal transmits an audio signal to an assistive device that then delivers an audio message to the user.
8. An RF switch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system comprises a feedback circuit that monitors the status of the input voltage feed circuits.
9. An RF switch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the system transmits a coded RF signal to an assistive device which delivers an audio message to the user as to the status of the input voltage feed circuits.
10. An RF switch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the system transmits an audio signal to an assistive device which delivers an audio message to the user as to the status of the input voltage feed circuits.
11. An RF switch as claimed in any preceding claim that receives a coded RF signal which operatively activates the relay or other switch as a result of detecting a specific code.
12. An RF switch as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the system transmits a signal to a visual display device as to the status of the input voltage feed circuits.
13. An RF switch as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the system transmits a coded signal to a visual display device as to the status of the input voltage feed circuits.
14. An RF switch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system transmits a coded RF signal to an assistive device which delivers an audio message to the user as to the status of a pedestrian crossing.
15. An RF switch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system transmits an audio signal to an assistive device which delivers an audio message to the user as to the status of a pedestrian crossing.
16. An RF switch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system transmits bi-directional data via a radio frequency transceiver.
17. An RF switch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the system transmits a coded RF signal to an assistive device which delivers an audio message to the user via a Bluetooth or other earpiece as to the status of the input voltage feed circuits.
18. An RF switch as claimed in any preceding claim that receives a coded RF signal from the pavement of the pedestrian crossing which operatively activates the relay or other switch as a result of detecting a specific code.
19. An RF switch as claimed in any preceding claim that receives a coded RF signal from a blind cane which operatively activates the relay or other switch as a result of detecting a specific code.
20. An RF switch as claimed in any preceding claim that receives a coded RF signal from a walking stick which operatively activates the relay or other switch as a result of detecting a specific code.
21. An RF switch as claimed in any preceding claim that receives a coded RF signal from a users shoe which operatively activates the relay or other switch as a result of detecting a specific code.
22. An RF switch as claimed in any preceding claim that receives a coded RF signal from a pushbutton unit which operatively activates the relay or other switch as a result of detecting a specific code.