ES2347407A1 - Apparatus and guidance method for blind people or blind deaf (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and guide method for blind or blind deaf people, which allows blind people to see their environment without the need for a cane or other item that requires holding by hand and constant scanning by the user through sweeps from one side to another in the detection of obstacles. This objective is achieved with an apparatus designed to be fixed in contact with the skin of the body; the areas of the skin where the devices are installed will receive impulses or vibrations from micro motors, configured for operation with a certain intensity or frequency, depending on the degree of distance of the object from the user detected by the sensors. This device can be used by people from babies, indicating signs of the environment where they move in a natural way. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Apparatus and method of guidance for blind people or deaf blind.

Object of the invention

Invention framed within the aid sector for the mobility of blind or deaf blind people, being able to be used by babies, to recognize the physical environment so natural.

Background of the invention

There are approximately thirty-seven million of blind people in the world and, of them, approximately, a million are blind deaf.

Many of these people use the cane, which It is the most widespread help device for the blind. The cane is use as a ground level front obstacle detector, irregularities, holes, steps and other hazards. Your cost reduced and its lightness allow it to be folded and put in a handbag. The problems this device may have is that it doesn't provides information regarding obstacles that are not at the level of ground, nor with respect to the obstacles that are in shape lateral to the user; In addition, it requires many hours of training, may not be suitable for indoor use, in spaces in which there are too many people, and cannot be used for babies or young children.

Guide dogs have a relatively cost high; they can hardly be controlled by children; present the risk of producing allergies and require care that some people cannot provide, such as the elderly with mobility difficulties and children.

Since the 1980s, many researchers have developed devices that use sensors to help blind people move safely. There are devices that to be used need to be held by the user's hand and constantly perform active scans from one side to the other. This disables them to be used by children of few years. Among these devices is the Laser Cane (The New C-5 Laser Cañe for the Blind. Proc. 1973 Carnahan Conference on Electronic Prosthetics, Univ of Kentucky. Pp 77-82; Benjamin. J. Malvern, Jr.) It is a cane that emits pulses of infrared light that are bounced, the system detecting the distance at which the obstacle is. The above disadvantage is that it needs to be grabbed; Another appreciable disadvantage is that if the blind person encounters a transparent obstacle, such as a glass window, there is no reflection but the light attracts him.
viesa and the person could hit that object. The cost of production and sale of the object is relatively high.

The Guidecane , US Patent 5,687,136, is a cane that carries on its bottom an apparatus with wheels containing a system of sensors and information processing systems; This makes it very heavy and difficult to use in certain places, stairs, for example. In this device the processor is the one who makes the decisions and transfers force to the user to guide him avoiding obstacles; This feature will not allow the user to reach an obstacle that one does not want to avoid, for example, a park bench in which the user wants to sit, as the processor will detect it and try to prevent the user from heading towards the bank by making a force that is perceived with the handle of the cane.

There are other elements that, not being canes, are designed to be carried by the user by holding them by hand, being of various shapes and sizes; in this group are the so-called Palmsonar , (Palmtip and PalmSonar. Bay advanced Technologies, 2006. Available at http://www.palmsonar.com); and Mowat Sensor , (US Patent No. 3,718,896, Inventor Geoffrey C. Mowat). The above devices require the user to hold them with one hand and perform an active scan for object detection. They are not useful for babies or young children.

Another device similar to the previous ones is the Mini Guide , available on the website www.gdp-research.com.au ; In this case, through its two buttons you can see five different ranges of distance, having other settings depending on how many times the buttons are pressed. It presents a complexity in its use that makes it unfeasible for a baby or child.

There are other systems that also need to be held by hand and scan from side to side to detect obstacles, returning acoustic signals to the user. As an example of this group we can mention the Nottingham Obstacle Detector (Bissit, D., and Heyes, A. 1980. An Application of Biofeedback in the Rehabilitation of the Blind. Applied Ergonomics 11 (1): 31-33) which is a sound hand with which you have to perform active scanning and that returns the information of the distance to the obstacles emitting musical tones. The call Sonicguide is an ultrasound system mounted on a pair of glasses that transmits information regarding the distance found objects through sound. It only detects obstacles that are in the direction towards which the glasses are directed and, for this reason, it is necessary to perform repetitive movements with the head if you want to cover different heights. These systems that inform the wearer through sound have the disadvantage of not being able to be used by blind deaf people.

The University of Michigan has conducted research aimed at applying technologies that guide robots for handicapped devices. In 1989 the NavBelt was created, (Shoval S., Ulrich I. and Borenstein J; "NavBelt and Guidecane-Robotics-Based Obstacle avoidance Systems for the Blind and Visually Impaire". IEEE Robotics and Automation Magzine. Vol. 10, No 1 , March 2003, pp. 9-20) which is a belt equipped with ultrasonic sensors and a microprocessor. This device solved some problems, however, it presents the inconvenience of its dependence on the user's hearing of the sounds emitted by the device, requiring an effort to process these sounds that, in addition, mask the external ambient sound; Sound that is necessary be heard by the blind. It is also not useful for use by blind deaf people or young children.

The acoustic information of the above Apparatus has been the subject of analysis such as Hakkinen J., (2002). "Postural Stability and sickness symptoms after hmd use". (Proc. Of 2002 IEEE Int. Conf. On Systems, Man and Cybernetics, Hammamet, Tunisie). Proving these studies that continued use of 20 to 30 minutes of distance information, translated into sounds, produces an overload of the sense of hearing. The consequences of this is the degradation in the registry by the brain of the information received, which reduces the ability to perform other tasks simultaneously, such as chatting and altering the Natural posture of the body and the balance of the person.

Brief Description of the Invention

The invention aims to improve the state of the technique in this sector, overcoming the inconveniences and Disadvantages of the existing. This purpose is achieved with a device that provides information to the user without having to perform a constant active scan for the location of objects, or specify that the device be held with your hand. This device is designed to be arranged in the body of the blind in contact with your skin; therefore it is ideal for children who have this visual impairment can use it from babies, providing the child from birth a way to appreciate their surroundings naturally Of course, an adult is also able to use it, quickly getting used to its use and interpretation of the information you receive from the device.

This device is characterized in that it comprises: a housing; a system for fixing the apparatus to the part of the body in which the individual wishes to carry it; sensors that capture information from the physical environment; a micro motor of vibration also incorporated into the body that will reproduce a signal outbound; a battery and a processor that receives the signals from the sensor or sensors, processes them and transmits the information to the user through the micro-engine.

This device does not limit its use in any way. because it can be fixed to any part of the body of the user using a tape that holds the device or devices to arms, legs or head of the user; you can also perform the function for which it is designed being fixed to caps, t-shirts, bracelets, wristbands, belts, anklets, etc.

Another significant contribution is that the scanning should not be performed in active mode by the user; the person does not need to hold anything or make any movement that is not natural for the body, not conditioning any aspect of your free mobility.

The device described here offers information neutral regarding the presence or absence of obstacles or objectives, and the distance to which they are, so that It is the user who must decide the action to be taken after receiving that information; sometimes you will need to approach the object, not dodge it, as in the example of the park bench where you want sit down. The information that reaches the user is through vibration impulses of the device on the skin where it is located placed. This makes the bearer can perceive this information. naturally and at the same time. attend to other signals that you receive from auditory mode; the ambient sound of the street, talk, for For example, without mixing these signals or saturating your attention.

For all the above, it may be used by children as it will not contain small parts that can be detached or be swallowed The housing of the device is presented without edges or Sharp edges.

All this makes the invention, the apparatus and guide method, be suitable for use by young children, being ideal that since babies blind or deaf blind people use this invention to detect obstacles in a natural way. It can also be used as a complement to the traditional cane, in the case of older people.

Brief description of the content of the figures

Figure 1 is a side perspective view of the apparatus for the detection of a three-dimensional environment, according to The present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus for the detection of a three-dimensional environment, according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the apparatus for the detection of a three-dimensional environment according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the apparatus Without the housing. Execution example with several sensors and with the on-off buttons and load check button on different heights, being a way for the user to identify These buttons without difficulty.

Figure 5 is a view of an example of realization of an apparatus applied in children who are not yet walking, the drawing providing an idea of the dimensions of the invention.

Figure 6 is a view of an example of realization; the user uses the cane as a complement to the present invention

Figure 7 is an exemplary embodiment for that the person maintain a relative distance to a wall using the apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 8 shows a side view of the mode for fixing the device by means of a clamp, to be used in belts, wristbands, anklets.

Figure 9 shows a side view of the mode fixing with a pin to the wearer's clothes.

Figure 10 shows a bottom view of the mode of magnetic fixation of the present invention.

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Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention

The device for providing information to blind and deaf blind people interpret through a processor the information received from one or more transmitting sensors - receivers of ultrasound and infrared that can operate simultaneously in broadcast and receive or operate only in sender mode or only in mode receiver.

This information will be processed to control the intensity and frequency of vibration of one or several micro motors available to the device: this vibration will be perceived by the user through the sense of touch on your skin, since the apparatus, one or more, will preferably be arranged in contact Direct with the skin of the user's body. The vibration you will notice the user, if he carries several at once (Figure 5). it will be the device that it is receiving the signal from an object in its detection field; the vibration intensity will increase closer to the object.

The following references are set out in the Figures:

one.-

Device housing

2.-

The housing area of the system sensible.

3.-

Power button - off.

4.-

Load check button batteries

5.-

Charging plates or connectors batteries

6.-

Slots that allow the device to be fixed to the body of the carrier.

7 and 8.-

Receiving sensors - emitters of ultrasound

9 and 10.-

Receiver sensors emitting infrared

eleven.-

Motherboard, where the circuit system is housed, processor and security system.

12.-

Drums.

\hskip0,5cm

Micro motores que transmiten vibración al usuario.13, 14, 15 and 16.-

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Micro motors that transmit vibration to the user.

17.-

Tapes that are arranged in the grooves to grab the apparatus to the user's body.

18.-

Walking stick that can sometimes be used as complement.

19.-

Obstacle, wall.

twenty.-

Clamp to install on the device in a mode of anchor to the clothing of the individual in contact with the body, to receive the sensations of the micro motors.

twenty-one.-

Pin fastening to clothing, in another mode of carrying the device

22 and 23.-

Magnets and ferromagnetic plate, in another mode installation of the device to clothes.

The device consists of a closed housing (1) hermetically, tending to rectangular and of little thickness, in the preferred embodiment, which contains rounded shapes, without edges, or outgoing or independent elements that may be bitten or swallowed by children. On one side of the appliance housing surface is placed a power button - off (3) and a battery charge check button (4).

Inside the housing (1), in the area central, the battery (12) is placed; on one side, in contact with the sensing system zone (2), the sensors are arranged proper (7, 8, 9 and 10). Inside the device and under these sensors is the motherboard (11) which is a system of circuits that includes the processor that interprets the information from the sensors The battery (12) can be charged by plates (5) or connectors for charging, presented in one of the appliance sides. The device has been designed for use be safe for children who sometimes take things to the mouth, and by people with disabilities; for this function of safety, on the motherboard (11) there are micro switches, reed relays, so that when there is voltage from the battery charger, the circuit board will be activated on the plates load and the plates will be in tension and in contact with the drums. At the moment when the device (1) is removed from its battery charger (12), the plates (5) will not be connected to the battery and therefore will not present any danger of discharge in case a child sucks them.

On the opposite side of the sensors (7, 8, 9 and 10), inside the device and in contact with the housing, They find micro motors (13, 14, 15 and 16).

The side of the housing that houses the micro engines, is placed in contact with the user's skin; staying in outward direction the area of the sensing system (2).

The sensors provide the device with a wide coverage range The emitted signals are reflected in objects of the environment, such as walls, columns, trees, etc .; and the sensors (7, 8, 9 and 10) will detect the reflected signals of these objects. Each sensor has a predetermined distance range, to detect these reflected signals, which may be the same for All sensors or different for each of them. These signals received will then be processed by the processor, hosted on the motherboard (11), operating the system micro motors (13, 14, 15 and 16). These will have an intensity of vibration, or, as programmed, a frequency of vibration, which will depend on the degree of proximity of the objects that They have detected the sensors.

When placing the housing area (1) that It contains the micro motors (13. 14, 15 and 16) in contact with the skin from the user, he will receive the vibration impulses, these being of greater intensity or greater number of impulses the closer find an obstacle of the device carried by the user or of one of the devices that the user carries.

The micro motors can also contribute information to the user regarding the battery charge (12) in four, three, two or one pulse of vibration when pressed the check button (4) of the battery status.

Figure 5 is a view of several devices Applied to babies who are not yet walking, moving by crawling. In this mode of use, one device is arranged on each arm and a apparatus on each leg. The device is attached to the body by elastic bands (17) that have been introduced into the grooves (6). The child could detect a ball that is not within reach of his hand; the ball would detect it through the vibrations that increase in intensity when it is approaching, this way you can head towards her until touching her with her hands.

In the example of use of Figure 6, shows a person using the cane (18) as a guide with one of his hands, arranging on the other arm the apparatus of the present invention The person performs a natural stroke when walking and in this way he is scanning his surroundings, being able to feel the presence of obstacles before the traditional cane I touched.

Another example of using the device, we shows Figure 7; the person maintains a relative distance to a constant wall (19). Once the wall is detected, the user you will notice a certain vibration in frequency or intensity produced by the micro motors (13, 14, 15 and 16); this vibration it will remain constant if it is kept at a constant distance from this obstacle, increasing vibration or frequency if you approach to the wall (19), and decreasing if it moves away.

Another possible example of using the device is a person who wants to receive information from the environment using various devices These are placed in different areas: cap by front and back, arms, belt in front and behind and anklets In this way, the user, remaining in a position or moving would get continuous and real-time information regarding a three-dimensional environment that surrounds it, thus being able to dodge obstacles or go to the detected elements. This how to use, with multiple devices in the user's body, It can be used for sports.

As noted above, the mode of preferential fixation of the apparatus considered in this invention it will be through slots (6). Figures 1 and 2. suitable for placing ones strips, for example, of double-sided Velcro®, through the slots (6). This system would be ideal for fixing on arms or user legs, preferably in direct contact with the person's skin; being able to also adapt to a cap that head bearing; these fixtures of the apparatus are presented on Figures 5, 6 and 7.

The device can also be set to different elements of a person's clothing; in the Figure 8. Possibility of fixing by means of a clamp (20) that would be suitable to place on clothing accessories: belts, wristbands, anklets; another way of fixing is by means of a pin (21) transferring his pin the user's clothes, being secured by his hitch. Figure 9. In all cases, the housing area of the apparatus that contains the micro motors inside (13, 14, 15 and 16) must be placed in contact with the person.

Another example of fixing mode may be magnetic, by means of magnets (22) and a ferromagnetic plate (23); so that it will be suitable for fixing on the clothes closest to the skin of the user, so that the ferromagnetic plate is placed on the clothes and the magnets in the housing or vice versa.

Claims (11)

1. Guide device for blind and deaf blind people, adaptable to the user's body, with at least one sensor, transmitter or receiver, or transmitter-receiver, which detects the presence of obstacles, characterized in that it comprises less: a housing, a system for fixing the device to any part of the user's body or clothing, a micro motor, a processor, A battery.

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2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing has at least one groove in its surface that crosses its thickness, a tape which can be arranged on the body of the user can be arranged therein. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing is hermetically sealed, has no edges and its corners are rounded. 4. Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor receives the signals from the sensor and controls the micro motor to transmit information about the physical environment detected by the sensor by putting the micro motor into operation, configured to have an intensity and frequency variable depending on the degree of proximity of the objects detected by the sensor. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus can inform the user of the state of charge of the battery, by means of vibration pulses of the micro motor, its number depending on the state of charge. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a power button, a request button for information on the state of charge of the battery and connectors for charging the battery are arranged in the housing of the apparatus. 7. Apparatus according to claim 1. characterized in that it contains a safety system by means of microswitches that prevents the load plates from presenting voltage or voltage during use. 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus is fixed to the user's clothing accessories by means of a clip arranged on one side of the housing. 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus is fixed to the user's clothing by means of a pin. 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus is fixed to the user's clothing by means of the combination of magnets and a ferromagnetic plate. 11. Guide method for blind and deaf blind people, which includes the analysis of the environment through which the user travels through sensors, processing this information and putting into operation one or more micro motors that cause vibrations received by the user, determining the amount or intensity of the vibrations the distance of a certain obstacle with respect to the user, characterized in that the user wears one or more devices that are fixed in any part of his body, in contact with his skin or with his clothes, so that The user's skin can appreciate the vibrations of the device caused by the micro motors.