FR2766579A1 - White cane for use by blind or partially sighted person - Google Patents

Abstract

A circuit box is mounted on the lower section of the cane to house IR and ultrasound detection equipment. The cane includes an upper box (2) linked by an intermediate tube (3) to a central unit (1) in which there is an ultrasound block (4) and an infrared block (5). A terminal wheel (6) is attached to the lower end of the tube beneath the central unit. The ultrasound and infrared devices are able to detect obstructions in front of the user within three distance ranges: 0-1m, 1-2m and 2-3m. The unit is able to guide the user, making use of memorised distances along known journeys, giving advice in the form of oral instructions or warning indications.

Description

 The present invention relates to an apparatus intended for the blind and visually impaired by ensuring their protection against obstacles and correct orientation in space by the audible indication of the characteristics of the path which must be traveled.

 We already know the classic white cane which facilitates the movement of the blind by trial and error in the field. This instrument has the disadvantage of not being able to warn its user about the presence of certain obstacles located at distances greater than a few tens of centimeters. In addition, it makes the movement of blind people quite slow and cannot precisely indicate to them a crossroads or the place that requires a change of direction.

 The device for the protection and orientation of the blind and visually impaired according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks. It has the shape of a white cane comprising an upper terminal continued by an intermediate tube which makes the connection with a central unit on which are placed a block of infrared, a block of ultrasound and a wheel terminal fixed on its lower wall . The device protects the blind and visually impaired by alerting them to the presence of obstacles located from the bottom of the 501, this in three distance intervals: from 0 to 1 m, from Im to 2m and from 2m to 3m. The apparatus guides the user by memorizing in the form of a compact program the length of the path segments and all the changes of direction which have occurred during the journey and it executes the memorized programs which provide, in a sequential manner, the end of each path segment and changes in direction of travel, as the user travels a previously stored path.

The device transmits all messages to its user orally: warnings, switch positions, device operating modes, etc.

 The purpose of the present invention is to provide an effective means for the blind and visually impaired in order to allow them rapid movement, real protection against obstacles and correct orientation by indicating the moments when they must change direction in their movements.

 The device for the protection of the blind and visually impaired according to the invention has the following advantages: - it has the shape of a very handy white cane, - it protects the user by indicating the distance to to the obstacle.

- the use of the device is very simple, both the programming of the route and the use of the recorded programs: only three push buttons are used.

- it makes it easier to orient the blind and visually impaired by allowing them to increase the speed of movement, this in perfect safety.

- it allows the repeated use of an already recorded program whenever it is necessary.

- all messages are oral.

-its realization is simple, economical and allows easy mass production;
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:
Fig. 1 represents the entire apparatus;
Fig. 2 shows the electrical block diagram of the entire device;
Fig. 3 shows the electrical block diagram of the upper terminal;
Fig. 4 represents the electrical block diagram of the central unit;
Fig. 5 shows the electrical block diagram of the ultrasound block;
Fig. 6 shows the electrical block diagram of the infrared block;
Fig. 7 shows the electrical block diagram of the wheel terminal.

 With reference to these drawings, the apparatus comprises the housing of the central unit 1 linked to the mechanical assembly of the upper terminal 2 by an intermediate tube 3.

Inside the tube pass electrical connection wires. To the housing of central unit 1 are fixed the housings of the ultrasound unit 4 and of the infrared unit 5. To the bottom wall of the unit of central unit 1 is fixed the wheel end mechanical assembly 6. The unit main is the central unit 1 to which the other functional blocks are connected by connection wires. All the information arrives at the central unit 1 where it is analyzed by the microprocessor, then being sent to the other electronic units. To use the device, hold it by the handle and push it while the wheel is rolling on the pavement.

 The upper terminal 2 comprises a housing to which a handle is attached.

On the housing there are push buttons 7, 8 and 9 for recording the direction of movement and inside the housing there is a loudspeaker 10. These elements are linked to the central unit 1 The push buttons are ergonomically placed for easy use of the device while traveling.

 The central unit 1 is built around a microprocessor II which has an EPROM program memory and an E2PROM non-volatile memory 12.

The non-volatile E2PROM memory 12 is used to record the data characteristic of the path traveled. The central unit 1 contains a voice block 13 and an audio amplifier 14 for reproducing different messages by the loudspeaker 10. Different words are recorded in the voice block 13 using the microphone 15 by pressing the push button 16. Under microprocessor control the recorded words give rise to messages necessary for the use of the device. The push button 16 and the microphone 15 are located inside the housing of the central unit 1 which are not directly accessible from the outside.

Block 17 for controlling the LEDs in infrared creates the current pulses for the emitting LEDs in infrared 18. The presence of obstacles is indicated in three distance intervals: from 0 to 1m, from 1m to 2m and from 2m to 3m. We can deduce the distance where the obstacle is according to the intensity of the current controlling the emitting LEDs 18 as follows:
the infrared emitting LEDs 18 emit rays which are reflected against the obstacle and the reflected waves are picked up by the infrared receiver 19. If the emitting power of the LEDs is high, more distant obstacles can be detected (in the interval of 2 to 3 meters for example). If the emission power of the LEDs is lower, obstacles closer to them are detected (in the range of 0 to 1 meter for example), the farthest being not captured. The emission power of the LEDs is proportional to the current which controls the LEDs. The distance at which the obstacle is located is therefore determined as a function of the intensity of the current in the LEDs, current supplied by the block for controlling the LEDs in infrared 17.

 Block 20 for checking the accumulator indicates to the microprocessor when the voltage of the accumulator is not sufficient for the proper functioning of the device. At the same time, the voice unit emits an audible warning signal which requires changing the battery.

 On the housing of the central unit 1 are placed the push button 21 and the push button 24. The push button 21 makes the program number heard in the speaker 10, in fact the position of the rotary switches 22 and 23. As for push button 24, it is used to erase a program.

To decouple the loudspeaker, use the switch 25 and to switch the device to the "use" or "programming" position, press the push button 26. The switch 27 is the device's power switch and push-button 28 is reset.

 The rotary switches 22 and 23 are used to fix the program number, in particular the switch 22 fixes the tens digit and the switch 23 the units digit.

 The power supply 29 includes a housing where the accumulator is located, which supplies the voltage necessary for the operation of the device. The power supply is inside the housing of the central unit. The construction of the housing where the accumulator is located allows the rapid change thereof when necessary.

 The wheel terminal 6 comprises a fork and the wheel 30 on which a magnet is placed. This creates pulses for the block 31 which is used to collect and form pulses understandable by the central unit 1.

The ultrasound unit 4 includes the ultrasound transmitter 32, the transmission ultrasound translator 33 (which transmits the ultrasonic signal), the receiver
34 and the receiving ultrasonic translator 35 which picks up the wave
thoughtful. The distance between the device and the obstacle is determined by measuring the
time elapsed between the emission of the ultrasonic signal and the reception of the reflected signal.

 The commands for the ultrasound unit 4 come from the central unit 1.

The infrared block 5 contains the infrared emitting LEDs 18 and the
infrared receiver 19 which receives the reflected signals. The commands for the
block of infrared 5 are sent by block 17 of central unit 1.

The device accomplishes two distinct tasks: the protection and the orientation of
the user.

Protection against obstacles is carried out as follows:
under the control of the central unit 1, the ultrasound and infrared translators located in blocks 4 and 5 emit signals. By receiving signals
reflected, the device indicates the presence of obstacles located in three intervals of
distance: from 0 to I m, from im to 2m and from 2m to 3m both in front of the user and
on its sides. The presence of obstacles is reported orally. The
use of ultrasound and infrared rays allows screening for
obstacles whatever their nature. The position of the ultrasound blocks and
infrared 4 and 5 in the lower part of the central unit 1 housing allows
obstacle detection from ground level.

First for the orientation of the user it is necessary to realize the
programming of the device for the routes that will be traveled. The
programming consists in memorizing the lengths of the segments of
path sequentially. We also memorize all the changes
direction intervened as we travel the route. The memorization is
performs until the end of the entire trip. By path segment, we understand the
part of the journey between two changes of direction.

The second step is the use of the device which consists in employing
data stored during the programming of the different routes.

The user can orient himself during his movement because the device tells him
audibly changing the direction of travel at the end of each segment of the route traveled.

 Programming of the device is done by putting it on the "programming" position using push button 26. The program number to be memorized is chosen using switches 22 and 23. By pressing the push button 21 means the program number, that is to say the position of the switches 22 and 23 without the need to see them.

 The user moves and the wheel terminal 6 creates an impulse with each rotation of the wheel. The pulses are counted by the central unit 1. When the user arrives at a crossroads, he presses one of the three pushbuttons on the upper terminal 2, in particular the pushbutton 9 to turn to the right, the pushbutton 8 to go forward and push button 7 to turn left, depending on the direction he wants to follow. By the combination of pushbuttons 7, 8 and 9, the user can program the command "stop" or other command relating to the direction of movement (for example 45 degrees to the right, 45 degrees to the left, etc.).

 When one of the three pushbuttons is pressed, the value of the number of rotations made by the wheel, on the segment of the path traveled between the last crossroads and the one encountered is transferred to non-volatile memory 12 of the central unit 1. At the same time the code of one of the messages "right", "front", "left", "stop", "45 degrees right", etc. is transmitted by the buttons 7, 8 or 9 in nonvolatile memory 12. Thus have you stored the characteristic data of the first path segment which are: the length of the path as a function of the number of pulses given by the wheel terminal 6 and the direction to follow on the next segment of the journey.

 When the push button 7, 8 or 9 is pressed, in the loudspeaker 10 of the upper terminal 2, one hears the message already memorized ("on the right", "before", "on the left", etc.) .

 The user continues his movement and the process of memorizing the two characteristics, length of the path segment traveled and direction of movement on the next path segment, is repeated each time. In this way, the data of all the path segments which make up the path to be covered as a whole is stored. Once these data have been stored, they will be used when the journey is repeated in the "use" phase of the device. Similarly, other programs can be recorded which store the data characteristic of other journeys.

 The appliance is used by putting it on the "use" position using the push button 26. Using the switches 22 and 23, the number of one of the programs already memorized during the selection is chosen. programming, this program corresponding to one of the routes to be covered. By pressing push button 21, you can hear the number of the selected program. The loudspeaker can also hear the entire stored program. Example of program: first stop, left, second stop, forward, third stop, stop, and so on.

 The user begins the movement and each impulse given by the wheel terminal 6 is recorded in the central unit 1. When the number of impulses supplied is equal to the number of impulses memorized during programming for the first path segment to the first crossroads for example) in the loudspeaker 10 we hear the message "first stop".

The user stops and presses the push button 8 to learn the direction to follow. He will hear one of the messages "right", "front", "left", etc. in the speaker. in accordance with the registration made at the first crossroads. We continue to move to the next crossroads when we hear in speaker 10 the message "second stop". This is achieved by the coincidence between the number of pulses supplied by the wheel terminal 6 and the number of pulses stored during programming for the second path segment. Press the push button 8 and hear the message for the next direction of travel. The process is repeated until the end of the program when the user has reached the end of the journey.

 The user has the possibility of erasing certain programs by push button 24 in case they become useless. By the switch 25 one can cut the sound in the loudspeaker.

 The device warns of the need to change the battery.

 By way of nonlimiting example, Device will have a height of the order of 1 m and the ultrasound and infrared blocks will be placed at a height of 15 cm from the ground.

Claims (7)

 1) Apparatus for the protection and orientation of the blind and visually impaired, characterized in that it has the shape of a white cane comprising an upper terminal (2), continued by an intermediate tube (3), which makes the connection with a central unit (1) on which are placed an infrared block (5), an ultrasonic block (4) and a wheel terminal (6) fixed on its lower wall, protects the blind and the poor indicators by signaling the presence of obstacles located from the ground, in three distance intervals: from 0 to Im, from im to 2m and from 2m to 3m, guides the user by memorizing in the form of a compact program the length of the path segments and all changes of direction occurring during the path and executes the stored programs which provide, sequentially, the end of each path segment and the direction changes in the movements, at measure that the user is traveling a route a Previously memorized, transmits all messages to its user orally: warnings, switch positions, device operating modes, etc.  2) Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the upper terminal (2) comprises a housing to which is attached a handle used for handling the apparatus, on the housing there are the push button (7), (8) and (9) for recording the direction of travel and inside the housing there is a speaker (10) for hearing messages.  3) Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the connection between the upper terminal (2) and the central unit (?) Is by an intermediate tube (3) inside which pass electrical connection son.  4) Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the central unit (?) Comprises a housing inside which there is the power supply (29) and an electronic assembly formed by a microprocessor (11), a non-volatile memory (12), a voice block (13) in which certain words are recorded using the microphone t15) and by pressing the push button (16), a block for controlling the LEDs infrared (17), from a block for checking the accumulator (20) and outside the central unit housing there is the push button (21) which lets you hear the program number, the button - push-button (24) which is used to erase any program, the switch (25) to mute the sound from the speaker, the push-button (26) to switch the device to the "use" or "programming" position, I '' power switch (27), push button (28) for reset, rotary switches (22) and (23) to set the program number soul.  5) Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the ultrasound unit (4) comprises a housing fixed in the lower part of the central unit (1) and has the role of emitting and receiving ultrasound in order to detect the obstacles.  6) Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the infrared block (5) comprises a housing fixed in the lower part of the central unit (1) and has the role of emitting and receiving infrared rays in order to detect the obstacles.  7) Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the wheel terminal (6) fixed on the bottom wall of the central unit (1) comprises a fork and the wheel (30) which turns on the ground providing each rotation of pulses to the central unit (1).