ES2401252A2 - Virtual walking stick for assisting blind people - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide aid in everyday life to blind people or to those with visual impairment. Such people, on a daily basis, encounter problems arising from their visual deficiency. In order to minimize the problems arising from this deficiency, the present invention aims to provide the user with a variety of helpful information, allowing the detection of obstacles (3, 5, 7), identification of colours (18), recognition of products/objects via the reading of barcodes or RFID codes (44), orientation via the system thereof for indicating places of interest in public spaces (39, 59, 60), reproduction of audio content (67), signalling the user (72) in dark environments (33) and recognition of letters, words, sentences and/or texts via a digital camera. The invention also has a time indicator (69) and a voice synthesizer (10). This is an invention that aims to integrate functionalities that hitherto had a limited use with new functionalities.

Description

  "Virtual cane to help blind people"

Technical aspects of the invention

The blind or visually impaired people see the tasks of their daily routine, hindered as a result of the limitations of the disability they suffer.

Today's society and its infrastructures are not yet designed to make life easier for blind or partially sighted people. A clear example is that of commercial establishments and the disposition of products in them. Another example of difficulty for the blind is related to the use of public premises and their infrastructure, such as the location of banks, gardens or a washbasin. This type of environment constitutes an impossible challenge in terms of orientation or location for a blind person. Equally impossible is the identification of colors without a prior indication by a person with the ability to identify them. In terms of mobility aids, blind people have long had traditional canes.

Since technologically, you can still create products for this technical area.

Background of the Invention

There are some products on the market that use obstacle detection systems and obtaining or calculating distances such as ultrasonic sensors. There are also watches for the blind and audio readers.

However, there is no single product that integrates all these functionalities, the user being forced to carry several devices with him. Below are documents that are part of the state of the art of the present invention:

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US Patent 2008120029 characterized by being constituted by a belt where steering indication motors are located and characterized by having technical supports close to the body. In addition to not being this comfortable for the user, this system does not allow the use of a wardrobe that fits more to the body in periods of more heat. Being also a disadvantage because the luggage causes discomfort or discomfort in the user's body.

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US Patent 4280204 Characterized by adhering a distance measuring sensor to the traditional cane The traditional cane has the disadvantage of detecting obstacles in only one direction and making it impossible to monitor the entire height of the user.

General Description of the Invention

The present invention is about an apparatus that aims to improve the daily tasks of the daily life of blind or partially sighted people. It is common knowledge that blind people have a difficult life as a result of the limitations of the disability they suffer. In order to minimize the difficulties experienced, this product aims to offer the user useful information for their day to day that would otherwise be difficult to carry out without the help of other people.

At your disposal, the user has the ability to detect obstacles through ultra sounds (3, 5, 7), a color sensor (18), a clock (69) with calendar and configurable alarms, a sensor system light (30) and LEDs (33) for user presence signaling (72) in dark environments and an audio reader (67).

It is also intended to highlight two important innovations that offer the blind a significant improvement in their autonomy. It is a product identification system (fig 8) with the consequent indication of some of its most important characteristics, name and validity, among others, and an orientation system (fig 10) with indication of places of interest in public spaces .

Thinking of offering the blind the possibility of reading information that does not exist written in Braille, this event offers the blind a text recognition system (fig12). Alongside the technical characteristics, the present invention is ergonomic and portable, so that it allows prolonged use without affecting the user as a side effect.

It is worth highlighting, in the present invention, the advantage and innovation that it supposes because they do not exist in current products, integrating them, in addition, into a single product: Detection of obstacles from the ground to the level of the head without the need for contact with them ( fig2), indication regarding time (fig9), calendar in general and colors (fig3), offers the blind person the possibility of orienting and locating products in commercial spaces or warehouses (figll), indicating the location of interest to the blind based on their location ( figlO), offer the blind person the possibility to listen to books in audio or any other type of audio in any room, signal the blind person in dark places (fig6), detect the fall of the technical support (fig4) and perform text recognition (fig12) .

The present invention tries to offer the user greater autonomy in their day to day through a variety of useful information in the daily tasks of daily life. Information that otherwise, probably, could only be provided by other people to whom the blind person asked for help.

The system is constituted: by a cane (70) with an ergonomic and hypo-allergenic handle (71) where the sensors are located with their corresponding electronics; and by a retractable or removable extension and an auxiliary box that the user (72) can place on the waist.

The various components of the present invention are described below.

Ultrasonic sensors (3. S. 7)

One of the main objectives of the project is to replace the traditional cane used by the commonly known "touch" to identify obstacles, with a cane (70) with

handle equipped with technology capable of offering information about the environment, the obstacles (14, 15, 16) existing around the blind, without the need for the blind to have physical contact with the obstacle. In this way, the luggage is equipped with three ultrasonic sensors (3, 5, 7). An ultrasonic sensor (3) is directed to the ground, in this way, it aims to detect holes, potholes, steps, any type of unevenness or obstacle (14). A second ultrasonic sensor (5) will monitor the possible obstacles that are at the height of the legs and the hip (15).

The use of these sensors is intended to play the role of the traditional cane, but so that contact with the obstacle is not necessary. The user, when carrying out a search movement with the forearm, will receive the information about the presence of an obstacle or the direction in which the handle is provided as long as the sensor receives the information that there is something that could be an obstacle. This, the traditional cane, already did, however it had to make physical contact with the obstacle or also called "touch", assuming, sometimes a disadvantage because there is a risk of accidental fall despite having detected the obstacle but perhaps too much late to anticipate the fall. (risk of accidental collapse of objects in which the traditional cane works by contact). A third sound sensor (7) will monitor the existence of obstacles above the waist and head level (16). It is in this case, in which there is a breakthrough and innovation compared to the traditional cane

The traditional cane did not allow the user, due to its limited functionality, to verify the existence of obstacles above the waist level such as traffic signs, billboards, signage in general, etc. .. These constituted a serious risk of collision, because for the blind these obstacles were impossible to detect.

With the present invention the existence of obstacles becomes information that the user receives by means of a vibration alert system (11) that can be constituted by small vibration motors, which in accordance with the distance between the user and the obstacle produce a code of different vibrations and easily noticeable.

For situations of imminent danger (undercuts on the ground, obstacles with their own movement that arise suddenly, etc ...) a voice alert (10) produced by the voice synthesizer or pre-recorded and stored in the database is activated local (55).

With these two systems the use of beeps, whistles or other type of sound signal is avoided, which would be continuously offering information to the user. This brings great advantages for the user, once it is left with the ear canal available to listen to all ambient sound and with it a better perception of the surrounding environment and the action that takes place.

The positioning of the ultrasonic sensors (3, S, 7) allows the use of the handle (71) at an angle of 45 °, which allows a comfortable position of use, thus avoiding fatigue or ailment due to prolonged use. It also offers the option of the handle (71) to include a retractable or detachable bar that facilitates adaptation and offers additional confidence to the user.

The obstacle detection system (fig2) has the option of using the cane in closed spaces (indoor) or in open spaces (outdoor). The "indoor" mode can be used in spaces where there are nearby obstacles (inside the houses) since the range of distances to be detected will be smaller and the "outdoor" mode can be used in more open spaces where the range of distances will be greater .

Voice Alert (10)

The voice alert (10) can be constituted by a voice synthesizer, or voice pre-recorded and stored in the local database (55) and reproduced by the audio reader (67). The voice alert (10) makes it possible to verbally communicate the varied information, for example alerts, navigation in the menus and configuration options provided by the functional parts that make up the system in general. This information is provided to the user through a Wi-Fi headset or with thread

Using the voice synthesizer (10), it is possible to communicate to the user what are the colors of the clothes or of the objects that are analyzed by a sensor that detects the color (18) located in the handle. The user can know the time, situation in the calendar, and have access to configurable alarms in a simple way through the voice alert.

Barcode reading system (42) or rfID (44)

Next, an important innovation for the blind is described, which is an improvement for their autonomy. With this invention, the user will be able to make purchases in shops, shopping centers, large areas and the like, orient themselves by warehouses, garages, workplaces or entertainment and environments in general (designated below by the establishments). The choice of products (36) that the user wants to buy, can be made without the help of other people or without the same objects (36) having information in Braille. For this advantage, the characteristic that all products (36) have in common, the barcode (40) or RFID (41) is used.

Using the barcode reader (42) or RFID reader (44) located on the handle of the cane, the system determines the object code (36). With this code, through a Wi-Fi connection (48, 49, 50), the system requests information about the product that the user has chosen from a remote database (46) existing in the establishment, later, if the user so You may want to know more information about that product.

In this case, the remote database (46) will provide the additional information that the establishment technicians adhered to the database (expiration dates, allergens, etc ...) This information can be stored in a local database (55) internal to the system of this invention, in this way, the user can once again have access to the information about the product as long as he wishes, for example, from home, being sufficient for the fact to reread the code (40.41) existing in the product or object

In order for the user to enjoy the functionality described above in the best way, the existence or future implementation of suitable systems in premises and shops planned or described above is assumed and where the user intends to obtain information that communicates with the present invention and that must be contained in a remote database (46) existing in the premises and transmitter-receiver communication circuits (48.50).

The aforementioned remote database (46) must have access via Wi-Fi (48.49) so that there can be an exchange of information with the system of this invention.

In order for the user to find and / or be guided to the object that he intends there may be antennas (39) that will transmit where the object is, these antennas may be placed in the projimities of the object or in a suitable place. When the user approaches an antenna (39) it indicates what types of objects can be found. The antenna circuit can be powered by photovoltaic energy or by the establishment's electrical network.

The antennas can also be installed on the floor of the establishment if the owner wishes to do so, offering YES, other information that the establishment wants to transmit to the blind.

It is still expected that RFID tags (passive or active) and / or antennas (39) will be used on the shelves (37) of each shelf (34) of the product to indicate which product is in the area, so that , when the user goes through the bookshelf or is close to the antenna, be aware of the products there through the handle of the cane.

If the establishment does not intend to place RFID tags, they can be replaced by others written in Braille with the necessary information.

As a complement to the use of the present invention it would be ideal that, in addition, the products to be identified, contain relay labels (S8) in Braille next to the bar code (40) and / or rflD (41) indicating to the blind person their location and address of code reading (40,41).

Orientation System (59,60)

This invention integrates another innovative functionality that will facilitate the way blind people use public spaces and walk the streets. For this, a GPS receiver (59) and a digital compass (60) are used. Both serve as functional modules to the system that indicates to the user the location of infrastructures and places of interest.

There are many scenarios where this functionality can be very useful such as the subway exit, train stations, bus stops or public gardens. This functionality is even more relevant in scenarios where the antennas (39) that transmit various information about the premises or neighborhoods where the antennas are located are included.

For example, in public places such as bus stops, the antennas may issue information regarding places of interest, addresses, bus schedules or other information that are considered useful for the premises in question and that the user will receive while approaching his stop.

Another example is the implementation of the same type of antennas along the streets, thus being able to indicate the location of crosswalks, banks, gardens, building entrances, river banks without precautionary measures, etc ... information given by the antennas can be updated bies and the antenna system can be powered by photovoltaic energy or the mains if it is available on the premises

In this way the antennas can be placed in the most varied premises. This type of scenario, including the public or private installation of antennas in areas covered by the signal, of adequate size to the claims of the entity that requires it (for example a town hall) allows the maximum functionality described above.

Media Reader (67)

The user has the possibility to play the audio files, through a reader of

audio 67. This invention allows the user to listen to music or audio books. To record the audio files in the local database (55) the user will have to transfer them through his personal computer using a USB connection or card reader.

Light signaling (33) and sound (23)

In the event that the blind person drops the handle, the fall is detected and the accelerometer (20) existing in the same handle (71) comes into operation, it is then when a sound alert (23) is activated that will indicate the position of the handle.

The blind person also has the possibility of placing the handle in the case of not remembering where he left it, for this, he will have to press the corresponding button existing in the auxiliary box, provided for in this invention, which will communicate with the cane via Wi-Fi (26 ) activating, in the staff itself, an audible alert (23) indicating its location.

The present invention has a night use mode. This mode allows the user to be identified or signaled when traveling at night or in dark places using a light sensor (30) and two LEDs (33) located on the handle. These will be activated whenever the blind person travels during the night and in dark places or of reduced visibility. In this way, other road users will be alerted to the existence of another person, thus preventing accidents.

Text recognition system

To facilitate access to information that does not exist in Braille, the present invention adheres, as an option, a text recognition system that enables the recognition of written texts, such as, for example, Titles and other texts in newspapers or magazines, posters and others.

For this, a digital camera (68) that captures an image is used, it is treated by image processing in the processing and control unit (1) and the text identified in this operation is communicated to the blind person using the alert system

of voice (10) present in the system.

Brief description of the figures

Fig1 a - Represents the overview of the invention Fig1 b - Illustrates the cane and part of its components, does not represent the design of the cane or the arrangement of the constituent components, serves only as an illustrative example Fig2 - Represents the modules used for detection of obstacles. Fig3 -Represents the color identification system Fig4 -Represents the fall detection of the cane Fig5 -Represents the system that allows to locate the cane Fig6 -Represents the system that signals the user Fig7 -Represents a product or object with its codes and location label of the codes Fig8 - Represents the system responsible for reading or obtaining information based on the codes Fig9 - Represents the digital clock Fig 10 - Represents the navigation system Fig 11 - Represents the system that reproduces audio files Fig 12 - Represents the recognition system of letters and printed words

Brief description of the reference signals

1 - Processing and control unit 2,4 AND 6 - Independent channels or through a range of channels 3, 5 and 7 - Ultrasonic sensors 10 - Voice alert 11 - Vibration alert 13 - Headset 14, 15, 16 - Obstacles

18-Color Identifier Sensor

19 -Object (identifying color)

20 -Accelerometer

23 -Sound alert

24 -System signal receiver on the location of the stick

26.63.49 -Warning signals

27 - Signal transmitter of the stick location system

29 - Cane location system activator

30 -Light sensor

33 -Leds

34 -Expositor

36 -Product or object (to analyze / read)

37-Bookshelf

38-Barcode or rflO code on the product or object

39 -Antenna

40-Bar codes

41-rflO codes

42-Barcode reader

43-Wifi signal reading barcode

44-rflO code reader

45-Wifi signal reading rflO code

46 -Remote database

48 -Remitter and receiver of the remote database

50 - Existing transmitter and receiver in the handle

55 -Local database

56 -Interface

58 -Brand in touch relay

59 -GPS

60-Compass

61 -Antenna remote data base 39

62 -Antenna transmitter and receiver 39

64 -Emitter and receiver of the cane communication system

67 -Audio player 68 -Digital camera 69 -Digital watch 70 -Retractable or removable extension of the cane 71 -Handle or handle of the cane 72 -User 8,9, 12, 17, 21, 22, 25, 28, 31, 32 , 47, 51, 52, 53, 54, 57 -Signs between system units

Description of the preferential configuration

In the following, the invention is described in detail, in which the apparatuses are constituted by a set of organs mostly represented in the figures. The support structures, usually designated by boxes, are not represented, representing the main or fundamental blocks for the understanding of the invention, although, it is not limited only to these.

The processing and control unit (1) communicates, through independent channels or a set of channels (2, 4,6) with the ultrasonic sensors (3,5,7) that allow obstacles to be detected. (14, 15,16).

The sensors (3, S, 7) mentioned above are differentiated according to the direction where they are arranged. This allows each sensor to be assigned a preferential detection zone that facilitates the identification of the location of the detected obstacle, thus taking advantage of the anatomical and design characteristics of the handle (71) and assuming that the user uses the handle according to its position natural use.

One of the ultrasonic sensors (3) will cover the entire area near the ground including the ground, such as, for example, this sensor has the possibility of detecting holes, unevennesses, not only being limited to these (14).

Another Ultrasonic Sensor (S) has a detection area that covers the entire front part of the body from the legs to the waist, allowing the distance, from the aforementioned parts of the body to the obstacle, to be predefined or defined by the user. It is possible to select a mode of operation for more enclosed spaces (for example: interior of rooms) where obstacle analysis distances will be relatively less than the mode of operation for wider spaces (for example: a pedestrian lane on a street) where, due to the greater dispersion of obstacles (15), it is possible to have a larger range of analysis.

A third ultrasonic sensor (7) is positioned so that it analyzes the front part of the body comprised from the waist to the head, including the same. It allows detecting obstacles such as signage signs, not only limited to these (16).

Whenever one of the ultrasonic sensors obtains a reflection of its signal, the processing and control unit (1), to which it is connected, will determine which the sensor was and if the distance at which the obstacle is located is equal or less to the range of action. If the distance is greater than the range of action, the presence of the obstacle will not be indicated to the user, if the distance is equal to or less than the range of action, the unit (1) informs the user through two possible communication modes.

These two communication modes are formed by voice alerts (10) consisting of a voice synthesizer or phrases (pre-recorded audible sounds), these are reproduced by the audio reader (67), the voice alert (10) provides varied information as the distance of the object, "uneven danger", or "obstacle danger at the level of the head" as an example to highlight some and that will be reproduced by an ear-type mechanism (13) being connected to the system by a conductor wire or cable or by wireless or wireless connection.

Communication of the distance to the user can also be done through a vibration alert (11) that vibrates differently for different distances, resulting in when the distance between the user and the obstacle (14, 15, 16) goes into Decrease vibration frequency increase.

This invention has a color identification system. This characteristic is due to a color sensor (18), which is able to identify, in alphanumeric format, the color of the object (19) it is analyzing. The signal (17) is treated by the processing and control unit (1), which assigns to each color identified by the sensor (18), a name that is easy for the user to understand, such as red, green , etc.

The name is sent to the voice alert system (10), its signal (12) being reproduced by an ear-type mechanism (13) that is connected to the system by means of a cable or a conductive wire or connected by a wireless connection or wireless

This invention has a system that detects the fall of the cane. Said system is constituted by an accelerometer (20) that detects the fall of the cane, the signal (21) being sent by an accelerometer (20) for the processing and control unit (1). This processing unit is responsible for activating an audible alert signal (23) produced by a buzzer or column sound system or the like.

The location of the handle can be done remotely, via Wi-Fi (26) by operating a button, switch or similar (29) existing in the auxiliary box that sounds an alarm by means of an audible alert (23) existing in the handle of the walking stick.

The handle, in dark or night environments, uses a light sensor (30) that automatically activates a system that signals the user by means of light LEDs (33). These are always connected emitting light or intermittent emission. In the situation in which the user ceases to be in dark environments, said Ieds (33) are disconnected by means of said unit (1).

This invention makes use of a barcode reader (42) and an rflD code reader

(44) that can be used to obtain information about products or objects (36) possessing said bar codes (40) or rflD codes (41) represented by the designation codes (38).

The user, when approaching the handle to the product or object (36) receives the information via wifi (43,45) present in the codes (40,41,38).

With this information received and that identifies the product or object (36) being analyzed, the processing unit (1) and the sender-receiver communication system (50, S 1) establish a Wi-Fi connection (49) with a base of remote data (46,48) that sends back to the processing unit (1) additional information existing in the remote database (46) about said product or object (36) being analyzed.

The user is then asked if he intends to receive more information about said product or object (36). If so, through interface 56, it indicates to the unit (1) and the sender-receiver communication system (50.51) again establish a Wi-Fi connection (49) with the remote database (46,48) to obtaining additional information

All the information collected is communicated to the user through the use of the voice alert system (10, 12,13). Any information received about the product or object (36) can be stored in the existing database in the local database (55) of the invention, with the possibility that the user can access the information again, just by reread the code (38) existing in the product or object (36), not being necessary to be in the specific location of the product covered by the remote database (46) to re-access the information.

In the event that said code (38) existing in said product or object (36) is a barcode (40), the location of this code (40) can be indicated using a touch-relay mark (58). The relay mark can be represented by an adhesive label in tactile relay or fixed by another process on the product or object (36) or the mark in tactile relay (58) can be engraved on the object .. The mark (58) can be be represented in other ways according to the type of surface of the product or object, where said code (40) is located.

The user can be guided to said object (36) through antennas (39) that can

be conveniently placed throughout the establishment or in the vicinity of said products or objects (36) and which may offer various information to the user, it being possible that the antennas are fed with energy from the existing network in the premises or fed by photovoltaic energy .

This invention integrates a GPS module - Global Positioning System (59) and a digital compass (60), which together with the processing unit (1) and a local database

(55) which stores maps, provides information on its location and on matters of interest related to the proximity of the premises where the user is located. Said information stored in the local database (55) can be communicated to the user using the voice alert system (10, 12 13).

This invention can also use its transmitter-receiver communication system (64) to connect via Wi-Fi (63) with antennas (61.62), conveniently placed in the most varied locations, such as: public gardens, museums, walks, pedestrian passages, among others.

By this means, the user can receive information present in said remote databases (61) of the antenna (39). The aforementioned antennas (39) can be supplied with power from the existing network in the premises or powered by photovoltaic energy. The information received can be communicated to the user through the voice alert system (10, 12, 13).

Using an audio player (67), this invention can reproduce existing audio contents in the local database (55) by communicating the aforementioned contents through the handset (12,13).

With the support of a digital camera (68) this invention can recognize letters, words and / or text written in a normal way (for example typography calligraphy). The images captured by the camera (68) are digitally processed in the processing and control unit (1), being subsequently converted to voice with the help of the voice alert system (10). The result of the conversion is communicated to the user through a headset (12,13).

Detailed description of the code reading method

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The user (72) uses the bar code reader (42) existing in the handle (71) to read the bar code (40) existing in the object (36) and that is occasionally indicated by a mark in touch relay (58); in case the object (36) has an rflD code, the user (72) uses the rflD code reader (44) existing in the handle (71) to read the rflD code (41) existing in the object ( 36);

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The information obtained by the barcode reader (42) or by the rflD reader (44) and that identifies the object (36) is used by the processing and control unit (1) to provide information on said object (36 ) to the user (72). The unit (1) searches the local database (SS) if there is information about the object (36), when it exists it communicates to the user (72) through the voice alert (10) and the handset (13) and if, on the contrary, the information does not exist in the database (SS), the unit (1) establishes a Wi-Fi connection (49) between the transmitter-receiver (SO) of the handle (71) and the transmitter-receiver (48) from the remote database (46) to obtain information about the object (36);

•

The information sent by the remote database (46) is received by the sender-receiver (SO) and processed by the unit (1), which offers this information to the user (72) through voice alert (10). ) and the headset (13);

•

Then the unit (1,) through the voice alert (10) and the handset (13), asks the user (72) if the user intends to save information received in the local database (SS) and the user (72 ) answer through the interface (56), if the answer is yes the information is saved;

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Next, the unit (1) through the voice alert (10) Y of the handset (13) asks the user (72) if he intends to receive more information about the product (36);

•

The user (72) answers through the interface (56), if the answer is yes the unit (1) establishes a new Wi-Fi connection between the transmitter-receiver (SO) of the handle (71) and the transmitter-receiver ( 48) from the remote database (46) to obtain more information about the object (36);

•

The information sent by the remote database (46) is received by the sender-receiver (SO) and processed by the unit (1) which offers this information to the user (72) through voice alert (10) and of the handset (13);

•

Next, the unit (1) through the voice alert (10) and the handset (13) asks the user (72) if the user intends to save information received in the local database (SS), the user (72) answers through the interface (56), if the answer is yes the information is saved;

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The user (72) can check again the information stored in the local database (55) about the object (36) itself if there is no possibility of establishing a connection to the remote database (46), for this, the user is enough

Claims (10)

1. Virtual cane (70) for the help of blind people characterized by being constituted by an ergonomic and hypoallergenic handle (71) where they are located:

to.

Ultrasonic sensors (3, S, 7) differentiated according to the direction where they are dissected:

i. Sensor (3) covering the region closest to the ground, this included ii. Sensor (5) that covers the front of the body from the legs to the waist iii. Sensor (7) covering the front part of the body from the waist to the head including this one;

b.

Color sensor (18), which identifies the color of the object in alphanumeric format. (19) The signal (17) is treated by the unit (1), which assigns to each color identified by the sensor (18) a name that is sent to the voice alert system (10), its signal (12) being ) communicated to the user (12) by a mechanism of the atrial type (13);

C.

Clock (69);

d.

Light sensor system (30) and LEDs (33) activated in places of reduced brightness through the unit (1);

and.

Audio reader (67) for playback of audio files;

F.

Local database where maps are stored, information on the location of the user (72), audio content, information on objects (36). Not limited to these types of content stored in the local database (55);

g.

Object identification system consisting of a barcode reader

(42) and an rfID reader (44);

h.

Orientation system consisting of a GPS receiver (59) and a digital compass (60);

i.

Voice alert (10) consisting of a voice synthesizer, or voice pre-recorded and stored in the local database (55) and reproduced by the audio reader (67), through the handset (12, 13);

j.

Vibration alert system (11), which according to the distance of the obstacle to the user, produces different vibration codes;

k.

Text recognition system;

1. Digital camera (68) that captures an image which is processed in the unit (1) and the identified text and is communicated to the user (72) using the voice alert system (la); m. Accelerometer (20) that detects the fall of the cane (70) being the signal (21) sent by an accelerometer (20) to the unit (1) that activates the audible alert (23).

2.

Walking stick according to claim 1 characterized by the vibration alert system (11) has the possibility of being constituted by more than one vibration motor.

3.

Walking stick according to claim 1 characterized by the warning signal (23) produced through a buzzer or column sound system or the like.

Four.

Walking stick according to claim 1 characterized by the information offered by the guidance system that is communicated to the user using the voice alert system (la, 12, 13).

5.

Walking stick according to claim 1 characterized in that it allows the use of its transmitter-receiver communication system (64) to communicate via Wi-Fi (63), with antennas (61,62) placed in various locations.

6.

Walking stick according to claim 1 and the preceding claim characterized by having antennas (39,61,62) supplied with power from the existing network in the premises or by photovoltaic energy.

7.

Walking stick according to claim 1 characterized by the handle (71) including a retractable or removable rod and / or an auxiliary box that the user (72) can place on the waist.

8.

Walking stick according to claim 1 and the preceding characterized in that there is a button, switch or the like (29), which facilitates communication with the stick (70) via Wi-Fi,

(26) and that sounds an alarm through the audible alert (23).

9.

Method of reading codes characterized by using the cane according to claim 1, which is constituted by the following steps:

to.

Determination of the object identification code (36) through:

i. From reading the rflD code (41) existing in the object (36) with the rflD code reader (44); or ii. From the reading of the barcode (40) existing in the object (36) and which may be indicated by a touch relay mark (58), said reading being made with the barcode reader (40);

b.

The unit (1) searches the database (55) for information about the object (36):

i. If the information exists, it is communicated to the user using the voice alert system (10, 12, 13); ii. If the information does not exist in the database (55), the unit (1) establishes a connection between the transmitter-receiver (50), the handle (71) and the transmitter-receiver (48) of the database remote (46);

C.

The remote database (46) sends the information to the unit (1) through the sender-receivers (48, 50);

d.

The unit (1) communicates the information to the user using the voice alert system (10, 12, 13);

and.

The information can be stored in the database (55).

Figure 1.a ~ \ I Figure 1.b ; 2 / .C! R Obstacle 1 4 I Unit of  r -------, 1I 15 processing Obstacle 2 S And control 6 ...... r -------, ¡/ 16 } ~ I ~ •! •• Obstacle 3 ~  10 \ 9 ~ ../11 ,, Voice Alert Vibration Alert 12 ~ 13 \ Handset Figure 2 19 ~ 18 ~ Unit of \ Processing and \ J SensorCor 1 Object ~ l  ))))) ~~ (W ( control "'. 10 \ Voice Alert 12 "'. 13 \, Handset Figure 3  \ .. ~

Processing and control unit

2223 \ ~

Sound Alert

Figure 4 26 27 28 29 ~ ~ ~ .. ~ ... ~~ A _: _ t_¡V_a_d_o_r _..... 1 r - '::::: "" "- E-m-¡s-o-r ------, ~' -__ Receiver 25 ~ , ~

Processing and control unit 2'C 22 ~ Sound Alert

Figure 5 30 \ '~

• Light sensor

~

31 __'-._

Unit of

processing and

control

3C 32 ~ •  LEDs Figure 6 Figure 7 40 41 I (, Barcode Code rflD ...-_______,., - 46 J Remote database 44, _ 45 42 ~ 43 ; :: - ~ ...-- ~ ·· 47 "- ~ .- / \> ---. RflD code reader R transmitter and receiver Bar code reader 53 _'--. 1 ../- 52 : ............: .. ---- ....

-

49 48

55 ~ 54 51 'VI Unit of \ V processing and ~ Database ..l. Em isor and receiver control local 57 ____  8_ ~ 10 5l Voice Alert Interface 12 '-. 13 \ Handset I Figure 8 Processing and control unit ', ............ / · 61 \ Digital camera " Unit of processing and control 10 • Voice Alert 12 ~ 3\ • Handset Figure 12