JP2001258964A - Stick for visually impaired person - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stick for a visually impaired person that can assist the person to walk safely by detecting an obstacle, a trench, a step, a wall, or the like, before contacting it or without contacting it. SOLUTION: This stick has distance detecting means 2, which is disposed at an end portion of the stick 1 and operates when the distance from an object existing almost on the extension line of the axis of the stick 1 becomes shorter than a set distance, angle detecting means 4, which detects the angle of the held stick 1, alarm sending means 5, 7, 9, which send alarm signals and a control means 6, which activates the alarm sending means 5, 7, 9 when the distance detecting means 2 is not activated in a state that the angle of the stick 1 is within a predetermined range from the vertical angle as the center and, when the distance detecting means 2 is activated in a state that the angle of the stick 1 is tilted exceeding the range, while the end portion of the stick 1 is not in contact with the object.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is to assist walking safely even if there are obstacles, grooves, stairs, walls, etc. in front of the walking stick before or without contact with them. The present invention relates to a cane for the visually impaired.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a visually impaired person walks outdoors, he or she often uses a stick to check what is in front of him while walking. As a conventional stick for the visually impaired, a stick painted in white so that the surrounding people can recognize that the person is visually impaired is generally used. A considerable amount of skill is required to confirm the situation via the Internet. On the other hand, there has been proposed a walking stick for the visually impaired, which transmits a radio wave from a walking stick and walks while receiving a reflected wave from a special guide provided on a walking surface.

[0003]

However, in the conventional wand for a visually impaired person described above, even if there is an obstacle, an upstairs, a wall, etc., it cannot be detected until the tip of the wand touches.
Collision accidents may occur, and even if there are down stairs and grooves, it can not be detected in advance,
There was a problem that an accident such as dropping occurred.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional wand for visually impaired persons, and detects obstacles, grooves, stairs, walls, and the like before or without contact with the wand. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a visually impaired walking stick that can safely assist walking.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a wand for a visually impaired person according to the present invention is provided at the tip of the wand, and sets a distance to an object substantially on the axis extension of the wand. Distance detection means that operates when the distance is shorter than the distance, angle detection means that detects the angle of the grasped wand, alarm transmission means that transmits an alarm signal, and when the tip of the wand is not in contact with the object An alarm is issued when the distance detecting means does not operate when the angle of the cane is within a predetermined range centered on the vertical, and when the distance detecting means operates when the angle of the cane is inclined beyond the range. Control means for operating the means.

In this wand for the visually impaired, an alarm signal is transmitted when the distance detecting means does not operate when the wand is nearly vertical and when the distance detecting means operates when the wand is inclined to some extent. It is possible to easily detect the presence or absence of a ditch or stairs existing in front, the presence of walls or ascending stairs, the presence of normal ground or floor, etc. before or without contact of the cane with them. Thus, it is possible to prevent a fall into a groove or the like or a collision with a wall or the like beforehand, and it is possible to safely assist a visually impaired person in walking.

In this case, when the distance detecting sensor does not operate in a state where the tip of the cane is in contact with the object, the control means can issue a failure alarm.

[0008] Thus, it is possible to easily confirm the failure of the cane before use, thereby preventing erroneous use of the cane.

Further, the distance detecting means comprises a plurality of sensors having different set distances, and the control means can transmit different alarm signals from the alarm transmitting means for each distance detecting means.

[0010] This makes it possible to detect the situation of the front grooves, walls, stairs, and the like in more detail, and to recognize the degree of danger and the like.

[0011] The alarm transmission means may include at least one of a speaker, an earphone, and a vibrator.

Thus, an alarm signal can be transmitted to the visually impaired person according to the state of the visually impaired person such as hearing loss and the surrounding conditions.

Further, a length adjusting means for adjusting the length of the walking stick can be provided.

[0014] Thus, it is possible to apply the walking stick to a tall person and a low person.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the wand for the visually impaired according to the present invention. The wand 1 for the visually impaired includes a distance detection sensor 2 as distance detection means, a power source 3 such as a battery,
Angle detection sensor 4 as angle detection means, alarm transmission means 5, 7-9 for transmitting an alarm signal, control means 6 for operating alarm transmission means 5, 7-9, power switch 10, length adjustment And a mechanism 11.

The distance detection sensor 2 is disposed at the tip of the cane 1 and is turned on when the distance from the object such as the ground, which is substantially on the axis extension of the cane 1, becomes shorter than a set distance. It works to become. This distance detection sensor 2
When the power is turned on with the power switch 10 when the wand 1 is gripped, for example, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the distance sensing sensor 2 at the tip of the wand, and a reflected wave from the target is received, so that the distance to the target is obtained. Can be detected. The set distance at which the distance detection sensor 2 operates is, in the first embodiment,
The distance to the target is, for example, a short distance of 0 to 200 mm. When a plurality of distance detection sensors are provided as in a second embodiment described later, the set distance of the second distance detection sensor is set to a long distance of, for example, 200 mm to 1 m. In addition, the distance detection sensor 2 may be a method of measuring a specific distance, but from the viewpoint of manufacturing cost, it is generally cheaper to determine only a short distance or a long distance as described above. .

The angle detecting sensor 4 detects the instantaneous instantaneous angle of the grasped wand 1. In the present embodiment, the vertical direction with the tip of the cane 1 down is 90 degrees, and the horizontal direction is 0.
The degree is prescribed.

The alarm transmitting means includes a speaker 5, a vibrator 7, an earphone jack 8 and an earphone 9, and the speaker 5 outputs a sound or an alarm sound.
Emit a buzzer sound. In this case, the earphone 9 is inserted into the earphone jack 8, and the inserted earphone 9 allows even a hearing-impaired person to accurately recognize the alarm sound and the buzzer sound. The alarm signal is not a sound, but may be a method of vibrating the vibrator 7 provided at the end of the stick 1, for example. In this case, the frequency, the magnitude, or the pitch of the vibration can be changed according to the content of the alarm signal. By vibrating the alarm signal, it does not bother surrounding pedestrians.

The control means 6, as shown in FIG.
When the tip of the cane 1 is not in contact with the object 22 and the distance detection sensor 2 does not operate in a state where the angle of the cane 1 is within the normal range centered on the vertical, the alarm transmission means is activated. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), when the tip of the cane 1 is not in contact with the objects 23 and 24, the angle of the cane 1 exceeds the normal range. When the distance detection sensor 2 is operated in a state of tilting, the alarm transmission means is operated. In this embodiment, the angle α of the cane
The range in which the angle is approximately 90 degrees (vertically downward) ± 30 degrees is the normal range.

In this embodiment, the control means 6 controls the cane 1
If the distance detection sensor 2 does not operate when the tip of the is in contact with the object, it is determined that a failure has occurred and a failure alarm is issued. Similarly, when the distance detection sensor 2 is activated when the tip of the cane 1 is in contact with the object, the control means 6 determines that the visually impaired person is recognizing the object, and Is considered so as not to transmit.

As a method for detecting the contact of the tip of the cane 1 with the object, a limit switch is provided at the tip of the cane 1 which is activated by contact with the object, and the control means 6 operates by the limit switch. A method of determining contact may be employed.

The length adjusting mechanism 11 of the cane 1 adjusts the length according to the height of the visually impaired person holding the cane 1.
The structure may be constituted by a screw and a slide mechanism, for example, like a camera tripod.

Next, the operation of the wand for the visually impaired in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2A shows that the visually impaired person 20 has the wand 1
FIG. 2 shows an example of walking on flat ground 21 while holding wand 1 in a state where wand 1 is out of contact with ground 21.
The control means 6 determines whether or not to transmit an alarm signal based on a combination of the measured distance L1 from the tip of the to the ground 21 and the angle α of the cane 1 at that time. That is, when the ground 21 is flat as shown in the figure, when the angle of the cane 1 is within the normal range centered on the vertical, the distance detection sensor 2
Is controlled by the control means 6 so that the alarm signal is not transmitted.

On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 2B, the distance L2 from the tip of the cane to the ground 22 is longer than the set distance due to the step, so that the angle of the cane 1 falls within the normal range centered on the vertical. Despite this, the distance detection sensor 2 does not operate, and from this, the control means 6 determines that there is a groove or a descending stair, and transmits an alarm signal.

In FIG. 3A, the angle α of the cane 1 is different from those shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and the cane 1 is inclined beyond the normal range. Object 2 from the tip
Since the distance L3 to 3 is within the set distance and the distance detection sensor 2 operates, the control means 6 determines that there is a wall or an upstairs, and transmits an alarm signal.

Further, in the state of FIG. 3 (b), the angle α of the cane is higher than horizontal, the cane 1 is inclined beyond the normal range, and from the tip of the cane 1 to the object 24. Is within the set distance, and the distance detection sensor 2 operates, so that the control means 6 determines that there is a wall or an obstacle, and transmits an alarm signal.

FIG. 4 summarizes the above description.
When the angle α is changed by swinging the cane, the control means 6 transmits an alarm signal depending on the relationship between the distance L from the tip of the cane 1 to the object 30 and the angle α of the cane 1, Decide whether to let it. This is summarized in Table 1 below.

[0029]

[Table 1]

In Table 1, under the conditions 1 and 5, the distance sensor signal is OFF even though the tip of the cane 1 is in contact with the ground or the wall (it is determined that the distance L is longer than the set distance). In this case, since the distance detection sensor 2 can be determined to be faulty, a fault alarm is transmitted.

In conditions 2 and 6, the tip of the cane 1 is in contact with the ground or a wall, and the distance sensor signal is ON.
So (it is determined that the distance L is shorter than the set distance),
Operation is normal and no alarm is issued. The visually impaired person can walk as it is while confirming the feel of contact of the stick, that is, confirming the position of the contact object.

In condition 3, when the tip of the cane 1 is not in contact with the ground or a wall, the angle α of the cane is in the normal range of 90 ± 30 degrees, and the distance sensor signal is OFF (the distance L is (It is determined that the distance is longer than the set distance).
And the control means 6 determines that the groove or the descending staircase exists in front. Therefore, when the control means 6 transmits the alarm signal A, the visually impaired person can know the existence of the groove or the descending stairs.

Condition 4 corresponds to FIG. 2 (a). When the tip of the cane 1 is not in contact with the ground or a wall, the angle α of the cane 1 is in the normal range of 90 ± 30 degrees and the distance Sensor signal is O
Since N, the visually impaired can detect the presence of the object at a short distance, and does not emit an alarm signal. actually,
A visually impaired person can walk while hitting the position of an object (usually the ground) with the walking stick 1.

In condition 7, when the tip of the cane 1 is not in contact with the ground or a wall, the angle α of the cane exceeds the normal range of 90 ± 30 degrees, and the distance sensor signal is OFF. It can be determined that there is no obstacle. Therefore, the control means 6 does not transmit the alarm signal, and the visually impaired person can walk while hitting the position of the object (usually the ground) with the walking stick 1.

Condition 8 corresponds to FIGS. 3A and 3B. When the tip of the cane 1 is out of contact with the ground or a wall, the angle α of the cane exceeds the normal range and the distance Since the sensor is ON, the control means 6 transmits the alarm signal B. This allows the visually impaired person to determine in advance that there is an obstacle, such as a wall or an up stair, in front of the visually impaired person, and is prevented from being injured by hitting the obstacle.

Although three types of alarm signals, a fault alarm and alarms A and B, are shown, the alarms A and B may be the same, or the intensity and tone may be changed in order. In addition, the normal range of the angle α of the cane 1 for switching the conditions 1 to 4 and the conditions 5 to 8 is 90 ± 30 degrees,
Since there are individual differences in how to hold the cane, it is practical to allow this range to be changed according to personal preference. In the above, an example has been described in which the distance detection sensor 2 detects only whether the distance is equal to or less than the set distance, with one set distance of the distance detection sensor 2.

Next, the operation of the wand for the visually impaired of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the wand 1 for the visually impaired person of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, except that a short-distance detection sensor and a long-distance detection sensor (not shown) ) Is different in that two types of distance detection sensors are provided, and two types of short distance and long distance can be detected. In the wand 1 for the visually impaired, when the distance L5 between the tip of the wand 1 and the object 31 is equal to or less than the set distance of the short-distance detection sensor, the short-distance detection sensor is turned on. Further, when the distance L6 between the tip of the cane 1 and the object 32 is equal to or less than the set distance of the long distance detection sensor, the long distance detection sensor is turned on, and when it exceeds the set distance, it is turned off. The operation of the wand 1 for the visually impaired will be described with reference to Table 2.

[0038]

[Table 2]

In Table 2, under the conditions 9 to 11 and the conditions 17 to 19, the signal of one of the distance sensors is OFF even though the tip of the cane 1 is in contact with the object.
Therefore, this is determined to be a failure, and the control means 6 sends a failure alarm. In the conditions 15 and 23, the short-distance detection sensor is ON and the long-distance detection sensor is OFF, so that this is also a case of a failure, so a failure alarm is transmitted.

Further, under the conditions 12 and 20, the tip of the cane is in contact with the object and the short-distance detection sensor
Since both of the long-distance detection sensors are ON, the operation is normal, and the visually impaired person does not emit an alarm signal because the position of the object can be recognized by the contact of the stick 1. Therefore, the visually impaired person can walk as it is while checking the position of the object.

Under conditions 13 and 14, when the tip of the cane 1 is out of contact with the ground or a wall, the angle α of the cane is in the normal range of 90 ± 30 degrees, and when the short-distance detection sensor is OFF, the cane 1 Since the presence of a groove or a descending stair can be detected, an alarm signal A is transmitted.

In condition 16, when the tip of the cane 1 is out of contact with the ground or a wall, the angle α of the cane exceeds the normal range,
When the short distance detection sensor and the long distance detection sensor are ON, it is determined that there is an object such as the ground in front, and no alarm signal is transmitted. Thereby, the visually impaired person can walk while tapping the position of the contact object.

In the condition 21, when the tip of the cane 1 is not in contact with the ground or a wall, the angle α of the cane exceeds the normal range,
Since both the distance sensors are OFF, it can be determined that there is no obstacle ahead. Therefore, the alarm signal is not transmitted, and the visually impaired person can walk while tapping the position of the object (usually the ground) with the walking stick.

In condition 22, when the tip of the cane 1 is out of contact with the ground or a wall, the angle α of the cane exceeds the normal range,
In addition, since the short distance detection sensor is OFF but the long distance detection sensor is ON, it can be determined that there is an obstacle such as a wall or a rising stair at a place slightly away from the front. Therefore, an alarm signal B is transmitted. A visually impaired person can walk at a reduced walking speed while tapping the position of an object (usually the ground) with a cane.

In condition 24, when the tip of the cane 1 is out of contact with the ground or a wall, the angle α of the cane exceeds the normal range,
And both the short distance detection sensor and long distance detection sensor are ON
Therefore, an obstacle such as a wall or an ascending stair can be determined in front of the driver's eyes, and an alarm signal A is transmitted. A visually impaired person can walk at a reduced walking speed while hitting the position of an object (usually the ground) with the walking stick 1.

Although three types of alarm signals, a failure alarm and alarm signals A and B, are shown, the alarm signals A and B may be the same, or the intensity and timbre may be changed in order. . Also, conditions 9 to 16 and condition 17
The normal range of the angle α of the cane 1 that switches between ~ 24 is 90 ± 3
Although it was set to 0 degrees, since there is an individual difference in how to hold the cane, it is practical to allow this range to be changed according to personal preference.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is possible to use a sensor using an optical sensor such as a photoelectric switch as the distance detecting sensor in addition to the sensor using an ultrasonic sensor.

[0048]

According to the wand for a visually impaired person of the present invention, an alarm is issued when the distance detecting means does not operate when the wand is nearly vertical and when the distance detecting means operates when the wand is tilted to some extent. Since the signal is transmitted, it is easy to determine whether there is a ditch or stairs existing in front, or whether there is a wall or ascending stairs, or the presence of normal ground or floor, before or without contact with the cane. Thus, it is possible to prevent a fall into a groove or the like or a collision with a wall or the like beforehand, and to assist the walking of a visually impaired person safely.

Also, with the stick in contact with the object,
When the distance detection sensor does not operate, the control means sends a failure alarm, whereby the failure of the cane can be easily confirmed before use, and erroneous use of the cane can be prevented.

The distance detecting means comprises a plurality of different distances, and the control means transmits different alarm signals from the alarm transmitting means for each of the distance detecting means, so that a forward groove, a wall, a stair, etc. The situation can be detected in more detail, and the degree of danger can be recognized.

Further, by providing at least one of a speaker, an earphone or a vibrator, the alarm transmitting means can transmit an alarm signal to the visually impaired person according to the state of the visually impaired person such as hearing loss and the surrounding conditions. it can.

Further, by providing a length adjusting means for adjusting the length of the cane, the cane can be applied to a tall person and a low person.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a stick for the visually impaired according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a side view showing a walking state when a walking surface is normal, and FIG. 2B is a side view showing a walking state when a groove or a down stair exists on the walking surface.

FIG. 3A is a side view showing a state of walking when a wall is present in the front, and FIG. 3B is a side view showing a state of walking when an obstacle is present in the upper front.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the first embodiment of the visually impaired walking stick of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the operation of a second embodiment of the visually impaired walking stick of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 staff 2 distance detection sensor 3 power supply 4 angle detection sensor 5 speaker 6 control means 7 vibrator 8 earphone jack 9 earphone 10 power switch 11 length adjustment mechanism 20 visually impaired

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A distance detecting means disposed at a tip of a cane and operating when a distance to an object substantially on an axis extension of the cane is shorter than a set distance, and an angle of the grasped cane is determined. Angle detecting means for detecting, alarm transmitting means for transmitting an alarm signal, and when the tip of the cane is out of contact with the object,
The alarm transmitting means is activated when the distance detecting means does not operate when the angle of the cane is within a predetermined range centered on the vertical and when the distance detecting means operates when the angle of the cane is inclined beyond the range. A wand for a visually impaired person, comprising a control means for operating the wand. 2. The visually impaired person according to claim 1, wherein the control unit issues a failure alarm when the distance detection sensor does not operate in a state where the tip of the cane is in contact with the object. For cane. 3. The visual system according to claim 1, wherein the distance detecting means comprises a plurality of units having different set distances, and the control means transmits different alarm signals from the alarm transmitting means for each distance detecting means. Cane for the disabled. 4. The wand for a visually impaired person according to claim 1, wherein the alarm transmission means includes at least one of a speaker, an earphone, and a vibrator. 5. The wand for visually impaired persons according to claim 1, further comprising a length adjusting means for adjusting the length of the wand.