DE102018109164A1 - Shoe for obstacle detection - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoe (10), in particular safety shoe, comprising a shoe upper (12) and a shoe sole (14), and furthermore comprising a front distance sensor (18) arranged in the region of the front cap (16) of the shoe (10) in which the actual distance to an obstacle (30) arranged in the forward running direction can be determined, - a front illuminating means (20) arranged in the region of the front cap (16), with which an area can be illuminated in the forward running direction, - a control means (22), by means of which an increased light emission of the front lighting means (20) is effected, if the current distance falls below a predeterminable minimum distance to the arranged in forward running direction obstacle (30).

Description

The invention relates to a shoe with which obstacles can be seen, as well as a system comprising such a shoe and an input device.

Shoes are aids that make it easier for people to move around and provide protection for their feet simply by the fact that they wrap feet. Traveling is automatically accompanied by the fact that a moving person can collide with obstacles that lie in the direction of travel. Normally, this is not a serious problem, since at least at times the obstructions lying in the direction of movement are monitored visually, at least when moving forward. In its summary, the Chinese patent application describes CN1 04274303 (A ) a shoe for blind persons, in which detected by means of an infrared detector obstacles and issued warning messages. For people with no visual impairment, however, this solution is not helpful because it only suggests alternative routes. Often, however, it is not desirable to take appropriate alternative routes. Especially in working life, people often have to act in environments in which hidden obstacles lurk, for example, transport workers, such as movers carrying objects, or cleaning personnel, who must perform even in confusing environments, or rescue personnel or other forces on the confusing Environments have to come to specific destinations. The mere instruction to change direction is of little help in reaching a particular spot in confusing terrain.

The problem to be solved is thus to provide a shoe, in particular a safety shoe, with which it is easier to react to obstacles, preferably without having to deviate significantly from the chosen route.

The solution found in the present invention is evident from the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are subject matter of the dependent claims.

The object is achieved in a first aspect by a shoe, in particular a safety shoe, comprising a shoe upper and a shoe sole, and furthermore comprising a front distance sensor arranged in the region of a front cap of the shoe, with which the actual distance to an obstacle arranged in the forward running direction can be determined a front illuminant arranged in the region of the front cap, with which a region in a forward direction of travel can be illuminated, and a control means by means of which an increased light emission of the front illuminant can be effected if the actual distance falls below a predeterminable minimum distance to the obstacle arranged in the forward running direction.

The front distance sensor arranged in the region of the front cap is, for example, arranged directly on the toe cap, or in the region of the front tip of the shoe sole, or in an area which overlaps the front tip of the shoe sole and the front cap. Such an arrangement advantageously results in the possibility of determining the distance of the wearer of such a shoe to obstacles located in its forward running direction. The same applies to the arrangement of the front lighting means that it can be arranged directly on the toe cap, or in the region of the front tip of the shoe sole, or in an area which overlaps the front tip of the shoe sole and the toe cap. The emission direction of the front luminous means is selected so that at least the region in the forward running direction, for example the region of the running background in the forward running direction, can be illuminated. Optionally, it can additionally be provided that at least part of the radiatable light is directed in the direction of the eyes of the shoe wearer, so that the increased light emission constitutes an additional warning signal for the shoe wearer when the light emission is increased due to an undershot minimum distance to an obstacle in the forward running direction determined by the front distance sensor and heightens his attention. If it is determined that a minimum distance to an obstacle arranged in the forward running direction has been reached, an increased light emission of the front illuminant can be effected by means of the control means which has access to the data determined by the front distance sensor. As a result, the lying in the forward direction range is better illuminated. This in turn causes the shoe wearer to be at least indirectly alerted to the obstacle in his running direction, since he knows that an increased light emission is associated with a detected obstacle. In the optimal case, the increased light emission also causes the obstacle to become better visible to the wearer than before or even for the first time, so that he can take appropriate precautionary measures to avoid a collision, for example adjusting his sequence of steps, his running path and / or his foot movement to overcome the obstacle or to avoid it with minimal detour. Especially when moving in poorly lit environments or in the dark, the shoe is advantageous.

The increased light emission, which is provided by the shoe, in particular safety shoe, eliminates the need to hold bulbs such as flashlights in the hand to illuminate the path ahead. Rather, the hands of a shoe wearer remain free for other tasks. By only when falling below a predetermined minimum distance increased light emission is advantageously achieved a conservation of the energy source required for this light emission.

According to one embodiment, the shoe, in particular safety shoe, furthermore comprises a rear distance sensor arranged in the region of the rear cap, with which the current distance to an obstacle arranged in the reverse direction can be determined, and a rear illuminating means arranged in the region of the rear cap, with which a region in the reverse direction of travel can be illuminated, via the control means increased light emission of the rear light source is effected, if the current distance from the obstacle falls below a predetermined minimum distance. This embodiment advantageously increases the security when reversing, a direction of travel, which can occur in particular in everyday work and therefore is particularly advantageous for execution as safety shoes. Examples of this are movers, who often transport items in pairs, whereby a person has to go backwards, or rescue workers who transport persons on carriers, and the like. The corresponding persons walking backwards are made easier to avoid obstacles if the path lying in their reverse direction is better illuminated by the rear illuminant. The rear distance sensor is arranged in the region of the rear cap of the shoe, analogous to what has been said with respect to the front distance sensor: the rear distance sensor can be arranged directly on the rear cap, or on the rearward end of the underlying shoe sole, or in one area, which overlaps the rear cap and the rearward facing end of the underlying shoe sole. The same applies to the rear bulb.

The shoe may further include an alarm via which an alarm can be output if the determined by the front distance sensor actual distance below a predetermined minimum distance to an arranged in the forward direction obstacle, and / or if the determined by the rear distance sensor actual distance a predetermined minimum distance falls below a arranged in the reverse direction obstacle. This serves as an additional safety measure to alert the wearer to the obstacle whose presence is already indicated by the increased light emission. The alarm may be, for example, an audible alarm, such as a warning beep or a voice prompt. Accordingly, the shoe comprises an acoustic reproduction means, by means of which the control means, the output of the audible alarm is veranladbar. According to another example, the alarm transmitter is a vibration transmitter encompassed by the shoe, so that a tactile alarm can be triggered accordingly. The vibration generator can be arranged, for example, in the region of the shoe sole, preferably in the region of the insole, in order to convey a tactile stimulus to the sole of the footwear wearer, or in the region of the shoe upper.

The increased light emission can be effected by switching on the previously switched off front and / or rear light source. Advantageously, the attention of the shoe wearer is particularly directed to the presence of the obstacle by the sudden light emission. Alternatively, it may be a reinforcement of an already existing light emission, which alone by increasing the lightness also the attention of the shoe wearer is increased and the obstacle is possibly recognizable for the first time or with greater clarity. In both cases, an energy-saving use of an energy source required for the light emission advantageously results.

As lighting any known light bulbs can be used. According to a particular embodiment, however, are light emitting diodes (LEDs), which are advantageous energy-saving and emit cold light. Of course, the shoe may also include a plurality of front lighting means and / or a plurality of rear lighting means, for example a plurality of separate LEDs, or LEDs combined in arrays.

As a distance sensors, a variety of sensors can be used, such as ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors or LIDAR sensors. According to a particular embodiment, the front distance sensor and / or the rear distance sensor are designed as laser sensors. Also provided is the possibility to use a plurality of front distance sensor and / or rear distance sensor, which include an area with a starting at the toe or heel area, substantially horizontal opening angle of, for example, up to 40 °, up to 20 ° or up to 10 ° in order not only to determine the distance to obstacles immediately in the forward running direction, corresponding to a path along the axis between the heel and the toe area of the shoe wearer, but also in an area beginning at the toe area or the heel Cone with an opening angle of, for example, horizontally ± 5 °, ± 10 ° or ± 20 °. The radiation of the laser light is carried out according to a development in the horizontal direction or substantially horizontal direction, for example in a range of vertical ± 5 ° in order to determine the distance to immediately located near the ground obstacles.

The control means may for example be formed as an electronic board or as a logic chip, optionally as a repeatedly programmable logic chip. The control means and the front distance sensor or the rear distance sensor can also be combined in one component.

According to a preferred embodiment, each shoe referred to herein as a shoe may be a safety shoe, being considered as safety shoes such shoes having at least one toe cap. Optionally, safety shoes still have one or more additional safety features, such as protection against electrostatic charging, chemical resistant materials, non-slip soles, and / or puncture protection against ground-lying pointed objects, and the like.

The object is further achieved by a system comprising a shoe, in particular a safety shoe as described herein, and further comprising an external input device, wherein between the control means of the shoe and the external input device, a wireless data connection can be established and via the external input device parameters for the front and / or rear distance sensor, and / or for the front and / or rear lighting means, and / or for the vibration generator are deposited at the control means.

By means of the input device, the underlying parameters can be changed depending on the preferences of the shoe wearer or the respective situation. For example, it can be determined from which minimum distance to a determined obstacle by the control means the increased light emission and, if appropriate, the output of an alarm should be impartable. For example, when driving forward in open terrain and correspondingly rather high travel speeds, for example 1 - 3 m / s or more, it may be useful to set the minimum distance to 2 m, 3m, 5m or 10 m to have at least one second reaction time before the obstacle is reached. When moving in confined spaces, as occurs for example in the transport of objects, such as in industrial halls between machines and equipment, or furniture transport in buildings, given the usually lower travel speeds and to exclude excessive increased light emissions and / or warnings, the minimum distances lower for example at 1.8 m, 1.5 m, 1.2 m, 1.0 m, 0.8 m, 0.6 m, 0.5 m, 0.4 m, 0.3 m, 0.2 m or 0.1 m. Furthermore, it can be determined whether, for example, in addition to the increased light emission, an additional alarm should be able to be output, for example, a vibration alarm, or whether certain warning messages should be output when issuing an audible alarm. The control means of the shoe in each case based on the thus predetermined parameters.

Non-limiting examples of the wireless data connection are Bluetooth connections, or also WLAN connections or telecommunication connections, wherein the input device and the shoe have corresponding means for providing the respective data connection, for example for sending and / or receiving the relevant data.

As an alternative to an input device can be provided that a corresponding internal input means is provided for changing the parameters directly on the shoe. As a further alternative, the parameters are fixed and can not be changed.

The input device may be a mobile phone, in particular a so-called smartphone with increased computer functionality compared to mobile phones. Accordingly, software for managing the parameters may be stored there, via which the shoe wearer can conveniently, for example, add, delete or change parameters which are desired by means of his smartphone and software thereon, usually referred to as an app.

For the functionality of the possible components, such as the front and / or rear distance sensor, the front and / or rear lighting means, the control means, or the alarm can be arranged in the shoe, a power source, preferably a rechargeable power source such as an accumulator, the may be removable according to various developments, or may be rechargeable via a plug connection, or may be rechargeable via an inductive charging system. The control means may be arranged, for example, in the region of the shoe upper, preferably below the externally visible outer surface of the shoe upper. Further exemplary arrangement possibilities for the control means as well as for an energy source are recesses in the shoe sole, especially in a midsole of a shoe sole made of outsole midsole.

In another aspect, the object is achieved by a method for identifying an obstacle lying in a running direction by a shoe, in particular a safety shoe, as described herein, comprising determining the current distance by means of the front distance sensor to a forward running direction arranged obstacle and / or by means a rear distance sensor of the current distance to an arranged in the reverse direction obstacle, and further comprising when falling below a minimum distance causing increased light emission of the front and / or rear of the shoe by the control means of the shoe.

The determination of the undershooting of a minimum distance can, for example, be carried out by continuously measuring distance measurements of the front and / or rear distance sensor over time or at certain time intervals and continually updating average values for the distance to an obstacle. As soon as an average value falls below the value for the minimum distance, the increase of the light emission and, if necessary, further measures such as output of an alarm are effected.

The determination of the undershooting of the minimum distance can also take place, for example, by constantly taking distance measurements from the front and / or rear distance sensor, for example by a distance sensor designed as a laser sensor, and taking into account only those values that occur when the foot is at rest. For example, when a step is initiated in the forward direction, a foot moves from back to front, whereby the distance to a stationary stationary obstacle in the forward running direction constantly changes while the foot is still in motion. When the foot reaches its foremost position and lands on the ground, the distance to the stationary obstacle remains constant. Preferably, the distance to the obstacle at this stationary position of the foot and thus the stationary position of the shoe is used to determine whether there is a shortfall of the minimum distance. If the determination of the distance at this stationary position of the shoe, it is provided according to a possible development that a laser sensor is used as the distance sensor, wherein preferably the laser beam of the laser sensor is sent parallel to the horizontal plane to the obstacle.

According to a further development, the method further comprises outputting an alarm by an alarm transmitter of a suitably equipped shoe as described herein in the event that falls below a minimum distance to a forwardly disposed obstacle from the front distance sensor and / or falls below a minimum distance in a backward Direction arranged obstacle is detected by the rear distance sensor.

Additional features, details and / or advantages may result from the following description, with at least one exemplary embodiment being described, if appropriate with reference to the drawings. In this case, identical, similar and / or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

• 1 eine schematische Seitenansicht eines Schuhs,
• 2 einen Schuh beim Einsatz in einer Situation aus der Vogelperspektive.
• 3 ein beispielhaftes Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens,
• 4 ein weiteres beispielhaftes Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic side view of a shoe,
• 2 a shoe when used in a bird's eye view situation.
• 3 an exemplary flowchart of a method,
• 4 another exemplary flowchart of a method.

1 shows a schematic side view of a shoe 10 who has a shoe upper 12 and a shoe sole 14 includes. In the area of the toe cap 16 of the shoe 10 are a front distance sensor 18 and a front bulb 20 arranged. Optionally, the shoe includes 10 in the area of the rear cap 24 a rear distance sensor 26 as well as a rear light bulb 28 , By means of the front distance sensor 18 is the distance to an obstacle 30 in the forward direction can be determined, the 1 the distance between the obstacle 30 and the shoe 10 not to scale. If this falls below a minimum distance, so is the with the front distance sensor 18 data-related control means 22 over the front bulb 20 an increased light emission effected. The increased light emission causes the obstacle 30 possibly becomes visible for the first time, or becomes more visible, which is why the wearer of the shoe 10 can plan his running path, his foot movement and / or his treadle so that a collision with the obstacle is avoidable. Analog would be in a reverse direction over the rear distance sensor 26 , the control agent 22 and the rear bulb 28 when falling below a minimum distance to an obstacle, not shown, an increase in the light emission by the rear lighting means 28 effected.

The control means 22 is exemplary than in the field of shoe upper 12 shown arranged where it is below the surface visible from the outside and is therefore represented by dotted lines. The control means 22 may also in the area of the sole, for example in the area of a midsole composed of outsole and midsole shoe sole 14 be arranged. For better clarity, not shown is an energy source for power supply of the front distance sensor 18 , the front bulb 20 , the control means 22 , the rear distance sensor 26 and the rear bulb 28 , Data connections between the aforementioned components are symbolized by dotted arrows.

2 shows a practical situation when using the shoe 10 from a bird's eye view. For better clarity, the wearer of the pair of shoes 10 not shown, only the shoe shown on the right 10 are the front distance sensor 18 as well as the front bulbs 20 indicated, but not the tax means. In the situation in the left 2A is shown by the two shoes 10 Distance measurements to an advancing direction lying obstacle 30 made, for the sake of simplicity, only the right shoe 10 is discussed. It sends measuring signals in the forward direction, for example laser pulses (symbolized by three arcs). In the forward direction is actually an obstacle 30 whose distance, however, does not fall below the minimum distance. For this reason, there is no increased light emission through the front light source 20 , The obstacle 30 remains for this reason also bad or not at all visible, what in the 2A through a dotted outline of the obstacle 30 is indicated. In the situation in the right 2 B Shown is the wearer of the shoes 10 on his track the obstacle 30 so far approximated that of the front distance sensor 18 determined distance to the obstacle 30 the minimum distance falls below. For this reason, an increased light emission of the front bulb 20 causes, in the present example, a first switching on the front light source 20 , recognizable by the light cone shown. This will be the obstacle 30 for the wearer of the shoes 10 conspicuously visible, what in the 2 B by representation of the obstacle 30 is symbolized by a solid line. The shoe wearer can thus adjust his running path so that a collision is avoided, for example by the obstacle 30 just bypasses or exceeds by appropriate step selection.

3 shows an exemplary flowchart for a method for identifying an in-progress obstacle through a shoe as described herein, wherein in a method step 100 a determination is carried out by means of a front distance sensor or a rear distance sensor, a current distance to an arranged in the forward running direction or reverse direction obstacle. In one process step 120 it is determined whether the determined current distance falls below a minimum distance. If this is true, then in one process step 140 causes increased light emission of a front or a rear light source of the shoe. The method can in particular be carried out repeatedly, so that a branch back to the method step 100 he follows.

4 shows an exemplary flowchart for an extension of the method described above, wherein in addition to increasing the light output according to method step 140 also the output of an alarm according to method step 160 he follows.

One or more of the embodiments and developments mentioned herein may be combined. Moreover, while the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by way of illustrative example, the disclosed examples are by no means limitative, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, it is clear that a variety of possible variations exist. Furthermore, the above embodiments are really only examples that should not be construed as limiting the scope, applications, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing description and description of the figures enable one skilled in the art to practice the exemplary embodiments, and those skilled in the art having the benefit of the disclosed inventive concept will appreciate various modifications, such as the function, arrangement, and / or combination of individual embodiments recited in an exemplary embodiment Elements, without departing from the scope defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanation in the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

shoe

12

shoe upper

14

sole

16

toecap

18

front distance sensor

20

front bulb

22

control means

24

stiffener

26

rear distance sensor

28

rear bulb

30

obstacle

100 - 160

steps

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• CN 104274303 A [0002]

Claims (12)

Shoe (10) comprising a shoe upper (12) and a shoe sole (14), and further comprising a front distance sensor (18) arranged in the region of a front cap (16) of the shoe (10), with which the actual distance to an obstacle (30) arranged in a forward running direction can be determined, a front illuminating means (20) arranged in the region of the front cap (16), with which an area can be illuminated in the forward running direction, - A control means (22), by means of which an increased light emission of the front illuminant (20) is effected, if the current distance below a predetermined minimum distance to the arranged in the forward running direction obstacle (30). Shoe (10) after Claim 1 further comprising - a rear distance sensor (26) arranged in the region of a rear cap (24), with which the actual distance to an obstacle (30) arranged in the reverse direction can be determined, and - a rear illuminant arranged in the region of the rear cap (24) ( 28), with which an area can be illuminated in the reverse direction, wherein via the control means (22) increased light emission of the rear light means (28) is effected, if the current distance to the obstacle (30) falls below a predeterminable minimum distance. Shoe (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an alarm device, via which an alarm can be output if the current distance which can be determined by the front distance sensor (18) falls below a predeterminable minimum distance to an obstacle (30) arranged in the forward running direction, and / or if the determined by the rear distance sensor (26) actual distance to a arranged in the reverse direction obstacle (30) falls below a predetermined minimum distance. Shoe (10) after Claim 3 , characterized in that the alarm is a vibration generator. Shoe (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the increased light emission can be effected by switching on the previously switched off front lighting means (20) and / or rear lighting means (26). Shoe (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front lighting means (20) and / or the rear lighting means (28) comprises / include an LED. Shoe (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front distance sensor (18) and / or the rear distance sensor (26) is / are formed as a laser sensor or laser sensors. Shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shoe is designed as a safety shoe. A system comprising a shoe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising an external input device, wherein a wireless data link can be established between the control means (22) of the shoe and the external input device and parameters for the front distance sensor (FIG. 18) and / or rear distance sensor (26), and / or for the front lighting means (20) and / or the rear lighting means (28), and / or for the vibration generator at the control means (22) are deposited. System after Claim 9 , characterized in that the external input device is a smartphone, on which a software for the management of the parameters is stored. A method for identifying an obstacle lying in a running direction by a shoe (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 8th and / or by a system Claim 9 or Claim 10 comprising: - determining an obstacle (30) arranged by means of the front distance sensor (18) of the current distance and / or by means of a rear distance sensor (26) of the actual distance to an obstacle (30) arranged in the reverse direction, and - if it is undershot a minimum distance effecting increased light emission of the front illuminant (20) and / or the rear illuminant (28) of the shoe (10) by the control means (22) of the shoe (10). Method according to Claim 11 , further comprising - issuing an alarm by an alarm transmitter of a shoe (10) according to any one of Claims 3 to 7 in the event that a short distance to a forwardly disposed obstacle (30) from the front distance sensor (18) and / or falls below a minimum distance of a rearwardly disposed obstacle (30) from the rear distance sensor (26) is detected.

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