JP2007252703A - Walking aid - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a walking aid to a senior person or a person with disability to solve the problem that they are more likely to suffer traffic accidents by electric or hybrid cars that have excellent performance from environmental measure viewpoints but also have the higher danger of causing traffic accidents involving these people due to quiet operation and approach of the cars to them before they know in the coming aging society. <P>SOLUTION: For the senior person or the person with disability including healthy people walking in an area shared with mobile bodies including cars, etc. run, this walking aid includes a detection means 3 to detect the presence of an approaching mobile body such as the car, a position recognizing means 4 to recognize the position of the walking aid in the hand, an operation means 5 to calculate the direction and distance of the waling aid from the approaching mobile body, and an information means 6, 7 to inform the walker with the walking aid of the approaching mobile body, thus protecting him/her from traffic accident by giving him/her the information including the direction and distance of the mobile body relative to them. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a walking assistance device that provides position information of a moving object to a person who is present in a common area with the moving object such as an automobile.

  The environment surrounding mobile objects such as automobiles in recent years has made significant efforts to develop technologies in environmental measures that can reduce harmful exhaust gas even a little in response to major global issues such as global warming countermeasures. Has been.

  Representative examples of these technological developments include the development of electric vehicles that do not emit harmful exhaust gases, and hybrid vehicles that combine gasoline and electricity to reduce harmful exhaust gases and achieve fuel efficiency. Is being expanded.

  The characteristics of these electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles are not only the great effect of reducing harmful exhaust gas by using electric motors, but also the noise pollution from internal combustion engines with explosions such as gasoline engines, It can also be said to be a moving body that has a great effect on quietness and is friendly to the global environment.

  On the other hand, the population of the world, including Japan, is reaching a so-called aging society in which the age of the human population increases and the birthrate declines and the proportion of elderly people increases.

  China's one-child policy has also spurred the world's aging society.

  In such an aging society, a social approach that can cope with the physical tendency of the elderly is necessary, which will be an issue for Japan and the world in the future.

  As the physical tendency of the elderly, there is an urgent need to take countermeasures nationwide because there is concern about a decline in physical ability, that is, a decline in sensory function and motor function, and an increase in the number of disabled persons due to aging.

  These elderly and handicapped people wear their own body 102 by wearing equipment such as walking aids such as walking sticks 101 as shown in FIG. Many people walk on the road 103 while supporting.

As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
JP 2002-92781 A

  In an aging society, the physical ability of the elderly and the handicapped is reduced, that is, the perceptual function and the motor function are remarkable.

  On the other hand, as described above, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that can improve the quietness are increasing against such social situations.

  Under these circumstances, elderly people and disabled people have weakened ears, that is, hearing function, and even a car with a gasoline engine that produces a loud sound like a conventional car, compared to younger and healthy people, Discovery tends to be delayed with approach.

  In spite of this situation, the discovery is further delayed when it comes to electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that have a greater effect of noise reduction.

  Therefore, the risk of being involved in an accident such as contact or collision is greatly increased.

  In addition, there is a decrease in motor function due to aging, physical disability, etc., and there is no agility to avoid contact and collision quickly like young people and healthy people.

  Therefore, in the coming aging society, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that can demonstrate superior performance, which are beneficial for environmental measures, have been discovered by the elderly and disabled people for the approach of vehicles due to their excellent quietness. The problem was that there was a high possibility of delays and traffic accidents.

  The present invention solves such a problem, and provides position information of a moving body to elderly people and disabled persons including healthy persons existing in a common area with a moving body such as an automobile so that a traffic accident can be prevented. An object of the present invention is to provide a walking assistance device that can be prevented.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a contact part to the human body in a part of the main body of the walking assistance device, a detection means for a moving body such as an automobile, a position recognition means for the walking assistance device, and walking. Comprising calculation means for calculating the direction and distance from the moving body of the auxiliary device and notifying means for the pedestrian, and providing the pedestrian with information including the direction and distance of the moving body by the notifying means It is set as the structure which can do.

  As described above, the walking assistance device according to the present invention is configured to be able to provide information including the direction and distance of a moving body such as an automobile to a pedestrian by a notification means, A traffic accident can be prevented in advance by providing position information of a moving body to elderly persons and disabled persons including healthy persons existing in a common area.

  Accordingly, it is possible to promote the spread of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles excellent in environmental measures and quietness in an aging society, and to reduce traffic accidents.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the first to sixteenth aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a walking stick that is a walking assistance device of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a cane, 2 is a holding part for gripping with a hand which is a contact part to a human body, 3 is a sensor which is a detection means of a moving body, and 4 is for recognizing the current position of the walking assist device itself. The gyroscope 5 is a computing means including an electronic circuit for calculating the direction and distance of the walking assist device from a moving body such as an automobile, and 6 is an electric means for generating vibrations as a means for informing a pedestrian. Mechanical transducer, 7 is an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound, which is also a notification means for pedestrians, 8 is a grounding part for supporting the ground, and 9 is hung when holding a cane or not using a cane It is a strap for.

  The operation | movement is demonstrated about the cane which is the walking assistance apparatus of this invention.

  The cane of the present invention was developed for the purpose of use by elderly people including the healthy people, the disabled, etc., and exists in a common area with a moving body such as an automobile other than the cane's original purpose of supporting the human body. In order to protect pedestrians from traffic accidents, it also has the purpose of providing information including the direction and distance of moving objects such as automobiles and motorcycles.

  As an example, as described in the background art, a situation where an elderly person is taking a walk while supporting his / her body with a walking stick which is a walking assist device of the present invention will be described.

  An elderly person is taking a walk while grasping the holding part 2 for holding with the hand which is the contact part to the human body of the upper end part of the cane 1.

  The cane 1 is made of metal, strong wood or the like, and the holding portion 2 for gripping with a hand is provided with a slip stopper made of rubber or resin.

  Inside the cane 1 is incorporated a sensor 3 which is a detecting means for a moving body such as an automobile. This sensor 3 has functions such as radar and sonar, emits electromagnetic waves toward a moving body such as an automobile, and captures the reflected waves to hold the position of the moving body such as an automobile, that is, a pedestrian 1. The direction and distance from can be detected.

  Further, the cane 1 is provided with a gyro 4 as a means for recognizing the current position of the walking assist device itself. The gyro 4 receives a signal from a satellite, detects its own position, and is stored in advance. It is possible to recognize the existing position on the map data information.

  Then, based on the two information of the sensor 3 and the gyro 4 described above, the position of the pedestrian holding the walking assist device on the earth and the direction and distance of the moving body such as an automobile existing around the pedestrian are determined. Calculated by the calculation means 5.

  The calculation means 5 includes an electronic circuit, and includes the map data, the power source circuit, and a driving source such as a battery.

  As described above, with respect to the result calculated by the calculation means 5, the situation around the pedestrian and the moving body such as an automobile existing around the pedestrian are added to the pedestrian by adding the map data information by the calculation means 5. It also has a function of determining whether or not there is a possibility of approaching, and notifies a pedestrian by a predetermined means.

  Whether there is a possibility that a moving body such as an automobile may approach a pedestrian is based on, for example, the following determination.

  When a moving body such as an automobile approaches in the direction of a pedestrian, it is stored in advance whether the position of the pedestrian and the position of the automobile will be exactly the same over time, that is, whether a collision will occur. Calculated from the map data information.

  For example, if both a pedestrian and a car are on the same road with a relatively narrow road, and the car is approaching towards the pedestrian, the possibility of a collision is very high, It is necessary to notify the pedestrian of the danger due to the approach of the vehicle urgently by the notification means.

  However, on the other hand, both the pedestrian and the car are present in the same state as described above, that is, in the same direction and distance relationship, and the car is approaching toward the pedestrian in the same state as described above. Even if there is a river without a bridge between the two in the map data information or a so-called three-dimensional crossing road with different height direction, the collision prediction point on the plan view is actually the distance in the vertical direction In the case where there is, the possibility of collision is extremely low, and in these cases, it is necessary to inform the pedestrian of the actual information including the map data information.

  In other words, pedestrians need to be alerted by the fact that they are approaching a car, but in cases where there is no possibility of a collision, it is not necessary to evacuate pedestrians by urgently giving them emergency information. It is enough to be able to predict and explain real situations and guide them to the best state.

  Next, means for notifying pedestrians will be described.

  6 is a vibrator which is an electromechanical transducer, and 7 is a sounder which is an electroacoustic transducer.

  About the information which should be given to the pedestrian calculated by the above-mentioned calculating means 5, it is set as the structure given to a pedestrian by the vibration by a vibrator, or the sound by a sounder.

  The information to be given to the pedestrian is information on the existence of a moving body such as an automobile, the position of the moving body, the moving direction, the action that the pedestrian should perform, and at least the position and movement of the moving body such as an automobile. If there is information on the direction you are doing, it is at least good.

  As an example, a method for transmitting the position of a moving body such as an automobile and information on the moving direction using a vibrator that is an electromechanical transducer and a sounder that is an electroacoustic transducer will be described.

  FIG. 2 shows an internal enlarged perspective view of the holding portion 2 for grasping with a hand which is a contact portion of the upper end portion of the cane 1 to the human body.

  As shown in FIG. 2, four vibrators 10 </ b> A, 10 </ b> B, 10 </ b> C, and 10 </ b> D are embedded in the holding portion 2 of the cane 1 at four positions that come into contact with the hand.

  These vibrators 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are embedded in four directions as if facing the east, west, south, and north directions, respectively, and the automobile is within the alert range of the pedestrian holding the holding portion 2 of the cane 1 by hand. When it appears, the vibrator corresponding to the position where the car appears vibrates.

  Here, the vibrators 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D notify the pedestrian of the appearance position of the automobile with high accuracy by vibrating not only one but two at the same time with different vibration amplitudes. can do.

  For example, when a car appears in the south-south-east direction with respect to a pedestrian, it is located in the south direction to indicate the direction corresponding to the south-south-east direction of the holding unit 2 held by the pedestrian by vibration. A pedestrian can be informed of the south-southeast direction by increasing the vibration of the vibrator 10C and weakening the vibration of the vibrator 10A located in the east direction.

  Furthermore, the frequency of vibration can also be notified of the distance between the car and the pedestrian by setting the frequency to be low when the distance is long and to be high as the distance approaches.

  Furthermore, although not shown, a sounder that is an electroacoustic transducer is provided at the same time, and a notification by sound is also added in the same manner, so that notification can be made more accurately.

  In the above description, the method of performing the notification using the vibrator as the electromechanical transducer and the sounder as the electroacoustic transducer has been described. However, the vibrator may be used as the electromechanical transducer.

  With this configuration, since the vibrator sounder includes a vibrator and a sounder in one package, notification by vibration and sound can be performed by reducing the number of parts, and cost reduction can be realized.

  Furthermore, by using a speaker for the electroacoustic transducer, it is possible to provide voice notification and guidance instead of simple signal sounds such as sounders, and if necessary, voice guidance for evacuation guidance can also be provided. More detailed and polite notification is possible.

  Although the above has described the notification by vibration and sound, a light emitter may be used as the notification means.

  As to the use of this light emitter, as shown in the enlarged view of the appearance of the holding part 2 for gripping with the hand that is the contact part of the upper end of the cane 1 with the human body, Four light emitters 11 are embedded in four directions.

  The light emitter 11 is provided in four directions, east, west, south, and north, respectively, in the same manner as the vibrator described above, and the operation of the light emitter 11 is changed in the same manner as the vibrator described above, in the direction of light emission, the light intensity, and the frequency of flashing light emission. Thus, the position and distance between the car and the pedestrian can be notified.

  By using the light emitter 11 as described above, it is possible to make a notification by visual sense using light in addition to tactile sense by vibration and hearing by sound.

  In this way, by having various types of means as a notification method for a sense to the human body, necessary information can be notified more reliably and safely.

  In addition, it is advantageous to have more types of means for notifying people with disabilities in the human body, such as the elderly and disabled persons, among tactile disorders, hearing impairments, and visual impairments. Even if there is any one or two obstacles, it can be notified by other notifying means, and it is very effective that the notifying function can be achieved.

  Here, the light-emitting body 11 uses a light-emitting diode, so that strong light emission can be realized with less power consumption. In addition to the small size and light weight of the diode itself, it can be driven by a small and light type battery, which has a great effect.

  Further, since the light emitting diode can emit strong light, the light emission can be sufficiently recognized even in a bright surrounding such as daytime, and the recognition effect is high.

  As for the information obtained from the above cane, not only the pedestrian who holds the cane but also the one composed of the sounding means and the light emitting means is located near the pedestrian holding the cane. Other people can enjoy the information by sound and light.

  Therefore, it is possible to secure safety for a person near a pedestrian holding a cane, and when a pedestrian holding a cane is a handicapped person, It is also possible to receive nursing care and assistance regarding evacuation.

  The above is description about the cane which is one of the walking assistance apparatuses which a pedestrian uses. Next, the mobile body which exists around the pedestrian which is a target object is demonstrated.

  This moving body is a car having a high probability of occurrence of a traffic accident because pedestrians are placed in the position of the weakest in the current traffic society.

  And about this car, even if it is a healthy person who does not have a hearing impairment, the electric car which is a drive car by the electric motor which has high silence so that the discovery is delayed, the drive by the combined use of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor It is intended for hybrid vehicles.

  Furthermore, these vehicles include not only general private passenger cars with a high occupation rate but also large buses, trucks, trailers, etc., and also include single cars and motorcycles where pedestrians and traveling lanes are close to each other. It is.

  By making the functions of the above-mentioned walking assist device work for these mobiles, the safety of people with disabilities in the human body, such as the elderly and the disabled, as well as healthy people, is ensured, and traffic accidents are prevented. It can be prevented in advance.

  Furthermore, even for healthy people, for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that are discovered late due to their quietness, the function of the walking assist device can be used to identify the moving object before recognizing the moving object directly visually or auditorily. The approach can be recognized first, and the safety of the body can be secured in advance, which is particularly effective.

  The content of detecting the direction and distance of a moving body such as an automobile by a sensor such as a radar or sonar that is a detecting means of the moving body provided on a walking stick as a walking assist device has been described above.

  A method for detecting the direction and distance of a moving body such as an automobile will be described below as a method that can be detected with higher accuracy.

  In the present invention, it is necessary to mount functions capable of transmitting and receiving signals on the side of a moving body such as an automobile. However, it is possible to detect with higher accuracy by mounting these functions.

  The walking aid device, such as a walking stick, further includes receiving means, and the vehicle side is also provided with signal transmission means. Information including the position of the vehicle is transmitted from the signal transmission means provided in the vehicle. A signal including position information is received by a receiving means provided on the cane, and guidance is notified to a pedestrian using this received information.

  With this configuration, it is possible to recognize a more accurate location of the vehicle and to give more accurate information to the pedestrian.

  Further, a transmitting means is further provided on the cane, and a signal including the position information of the cane, that is, the pedestrian, is transmitted by the transmitting means, and this information is received by the receiving means provided on the automobile, and the walking is performed based on the received information. The position of the person is specified and guided to the driver of the car.

  By adopting this configuration, it is possible to recognize the more accurate position of the pedestrian and guide it to the driver, and to give more accurate information to the driver.

  As described above, the present invention can provide both communication by providing a receiving means and a transmitting means for a walking aid, such as a walking stick, and further providing a receiving means and a transmitting means for a moving body such as an automobile. Safety measures can be realized with accurate information.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, the second aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Regarding the description, the same contents as those of the first embodiment will be described while omitting the detailed description thereof.

  FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the handcart 21 that is the walking assistance device of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, 21 is a handcart, 22 is a holding part for gripping with a hand which is a contact part to the human body, 23 is a sensor which is a detection means of a moving body, and 24 is a current position of the walking assist device itself. 25 is a computing means for calculating the direction and distance from a moving body such as an automobile of the walking assist device, 26 is an electromechanical converter that is a means for notifying a pedestrian, and 27 is Similarly, an electroacoustic transducer that is a means for notifying pedestrians, 28 is a tire rolling on the ground, and 29 is a car for storing luggage.

  About the operation | movement of the handcart 21 which is a walking assistance apparatus of this invention, in addition to the function which supports the human body which is the original function, there is a function which can hold the holding | maintenance part 22 with both hands, or has a function to store a load. Since the other functions are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, since the handcart 21 is larger in size than the cane 1 described in the first embodiment, the notifying means for the pedestrian is a holding portion for grasping with a hand that is a contact portion to the human body. In addition to being mounted on the computer 22, it can also be provided in the calculation means 25 or in the vicinity thereof.

  In addition, a monitor that can clearly display the positional relationship between the map information and the pedestrians and moving objects may be provided. By providing this display monitor, more accurate information can be grasped instantly and used for safety measures. be able to.

(Embodiment 3)
In the following, the third aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Regarding the description, the same contents as those of the first embodiment will be described while omitting the detailed description thereof.

  FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of a wheelchair 31 which is a walking assistance device of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, 31 is a wheelchair, 32 is a holding part for gripping with a hand which is a contact part to a human body, 33 is a sensor which is a detecting means for a moving body, and 34 is a current position of the walking assist device itself. A gyro which is a means for recognizing, 35 is a computing means for calculating the direction and distance from a moving body such as an automobile of a walking assistance device, 36 is an electromechanical converter which is a means for notifying a wheelchair passenger, 37 is Similarly, an electroacoustic transducer which is a means for notifying a wheelchair passenger, 38 is a tire rolling on the ground, and 39 is a seat on which a person sits.

  About the operation | movement of the wheelchair 31 which is a walking assistance apparatus of this invention, since it is the content similar to Embodiment 1 except the function which carries the human body which is the original function, it abbreviate | omits the description.

  In addition, since the wheelchair 31 is larger than the cane 1 described in the first embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the notification means for the passenger in the wheelchair and the caregiver pushing the wheelchair is the human body. In addition to being mounted on the holding portion 32 for grasping with the hand, which is a contact portion, the caregiver's holding portion 32A, the calculation means 35, and the vicinity thereof can also be provided.

  Furthermore, you may provide in the sheet | seat 39 as a body vibration.

  In addition, a monitor that can clearly display the positional relationship between the map information and the wheelchair and the moving body may be provided. By providing this display monitor, more accurate information can be grasped instantaneously and used for safety measures. be able to.

(Embodiment 4)
The fourth aspect of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Regarding the description, the same contents as those of the first embodiment will be described while omitting the detailed description thereof.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a tricycle 41 which is a walking assistance device of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6, 41 is a tricycle, 42 is a holding part for gripping with a hand which is a contact part to a human body, 43 is a sensor which is a detection means for a moving body, 44 is a current position of the walking assist device itself. A gyro which is a means for recognizing, 45 is a computing means for calculating the direction and distance from a moving body such as an automobile of the walking assistance device, 46 is an electromechanical converter which is a means for notifying a tricycle passenger, 47 is Similarly, an electroacoustic transducer serving as means for notifying a tricycle passenger, 48 is a tire rolling on the ground, 49 is a seat on which a person sits, and 50 is an electric assist motor.

  About the operation | movement of the tricycle 41 which is a walking assistance apparatus of this invention, since it is the content similar to Embodiment 1 except the function to carry the human body which is the original function, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Further, since the size of the tricycle 41 is larger than that of the cane 1 described in the first embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the notification means for the passenger on the tricycle is a contact portion on the human body. In addition to being mounted on the holding portion 42 for gripping with a hand, it can be provided in the calculation means 45 or in the vicinity thereof.

  Furthermore, you may provide in the sheet | seat 49 as a body vibration.

  In addition, a monitor that can clearly display the map information and the positional relationship between the tricycle and the moving body may be provided, and by providing this display monitor, more accurate information can be grasped instantly and used for safety measures. be able to.

(Embodiment 5)
Hereinafter, the fifth aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Regarding the description, the same contents as those of the first embodiment will be described while omitting the detailed description thereof.

  FIG. 7 is an external view showing a configuration of a bicycle which is a walking assistance device of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, 51 is a bicycle, 52 is a handle for gripping with a hand that is a contact part to the human body, 53 is a sensor that is a detection means of a moving body, and 54 is a current position of the walking assist device itself. 55 is a computing means for calculating the direction and distance of the walking assist device from a moving body such as an automobile, 56 is an electromechanical converter that is a means for notifying a bicycle rider, and 57 is the same. An electroacoustic transducer serving as a means for notifying a bicycle occupant, 58 is a tire rolling on the ground, and 59 is a seat on which a person sits.

  About the operation | movement of the bicycle 51 which is a walking assistance apparatus of this invention, since it is the content similar to Embodiment 1 except the function to carry a human body which is the original function, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Further, since the bicycle 51 is larger in size than the cane 1 described in the first embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the notification means for the passenger on the bicycle 51 is in contact with the human body. In addition to being mounted on the handle 52 for gripping with a hand, which is a part, it can also be provided in the computing means 55 or in the vicinity thereof.

  In addition, a monitor that can clearly display the map information and the positional relationship between the bicycle and the moving body may be provided. By providing this display monitor, more accurate information can be grasped instantly and used for safety measures. be able to.

(Embodiment 6)
The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Regarding the description, the same contents as those of the first embodiment will be described while omitting the detailed description thereof.

  FIG. 8 is an external view showing a configuration of a portable navigation system 61 that is a walking assistance device of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 8, 61 is a portable navigation system, 62 is a handle for gripping with a hand which is a contact part to a human body, 63 is a sensor which is a detecting means for a moving body, and 64 is a portable navigation system itself. A gyro which is a means for recognizing the current position, 65 is a computing means for calculating the direction and distance from a mobile body such as an automobile of the portable navigation system, and 66 is an electromechanical converter which is a means for notifying the user 67 is an electroacoustic transducer which is also a means for notifying the user, 68 is a display monitor for displaying a map, 69 is a strap for carrying, and 70 is an operation unit.

  The operation of the portable navigation system that is the walking assist device of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the function of guiding and guiding a person by displaying a map that is the original function. The description is omitted.

  The walking assistance device according to the present invention provides position information of the moving body to the elderly and disabled persons including healthy persons existing in the same area as the moving body such as an automobile, thereby preventing a traffic accident in advance. Can be used for equipment that can.

  Accordingly, it is possible to promote the spread of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles excellent in environmental measures and quietness in an aging society, and to reduce traffic accidents.

Sectional drawing which showed the structure of the cane which is a walking assistance apparatus by one embodiment of this invention The expansion perspective view of the holding | maintenance part of the cane by one embodiment of this invention The expanded perspective view of the holding | maintenance part of another cane by one embodiment of this invention The perspective view which showed the structure of the handcart which is a walking assistance apparatus by one embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which showed the structure of the wheelchair which is a walking assistance apparatus by one embodiment of this invention The perspective view which showed the structure of the tricycle which is a walking assistance apparatus by one embodiment of this invention The front view which showed the structure of the bicycle which is a walking assistance apparatus by one embodiment of this invention The front view which showed the structure of the portable navigation system which is a walking assistance apparatus by one embodiment of this invention The figure which showed use of a cane which is a walk auxiliary device by the conventional form

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cane 2 Holding | maintenance part 3 Sensor 4 Gyro 5 Calculation means 6 Electromechanical converter 7 Electroacoustic transducer 8 Grounding part 9 Strap 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D Vibrator 11 Light emitter 21 Wheelbarrow 22 Holding part 23 Sensor 24 Gyro 25 Calculation Means 26 Electromechanical transducer 27 Electroacoustic transducer 28 Tire 29 Car 31 Wheelchair 32, 32A Holding unit 33 Sensor 34 Gyro 35 Calculation means 36 Electromechanical transducer 37 Electroacoustic transducer 38 Tire 39 Seat 41 Tricycle 42 Holding unit 43 Sensor 44 Gyro 45 Calculation Means 46 Electromechanical Converter 47 Electroacoustic Converter 48 Tire 49 Seat 50 Electric Assist Motor 51 Bicycle 52 Handle 53 Sensor 54 Gyro 55 Calculation Unit 56 Electromechanical Converter 57 Electroacoustic Converter 58 Ya 59 sheet 61 portable navigation system 62 handles 63 sensor 64 gyro 65 calculation means 66 electromechanical transducer 67 electro-acoustic transducer 68 display monitor 69 the strap 70 operating unit

Claims (21)

A walking assistance device having a function of providing a pedestrian with information about a moving body existing around the pedestrian, wherein the walking assistance device has a contact portion with a human body in a part of the main body. A detecting means for the moving body, a position recognizing means for the walking assistance device, a computing means for calculating a direction and a distance of the walking assistance device from the moving body, and a notification means for the pedestrian. A walking assistance device that provides the pedestrian with information including the direction and distance of the moving body. The walking assistance device according to claim 1, further comprising a receiving unit, wherein the walking assist device receives a signal transmitted from the mobile body and including position information of the mobile body. The walking assist device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitting means, which transmits a signal including position information of the walking assist device. The informing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification means is performed by an electromechanical converter. The informing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification means is performed by an electroacoustic transducer. The walk assist device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the notification means is performed by a light emitter. The walking assist device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation means stores map information. The walking assistance device according to claim 4, wherein the electromechanical transducer is a vibrator. The walking assist device according to claim 4, wherein the electromechanical converter is a vibrator sounder. The walking assist device according to claim 5, wherein the electroacoustic transducer is a sounder. The walking assist device according to claim 5, wherein the electroacoustic transducer is a speaker. The walking assist device according to claim 6, wherein the light emitter is a light emitting diode. The walking assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the moving body is an automobile. The walking assist device according to claim 13, wherein the moving body is an electric vehicle. The walking assist device according to claim 13, wherein the moving body is a hybrid vehicle. The walking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the walking assistance device is a walking stick. The walking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the walking assistance device is a handcart. The walking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the walking assistance device is a wheelchair. The walking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the walking assistance device is a tricycle. The walking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the walking assistance device is a bicycle. The walking assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the walking assistance device is a portable navigation system.

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