JP2008188391A - Obstacle detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that most conventional object detecting devices and guide devices for the visually-impaired are installed indoor, passageways and stairs and the reported are large-scale devices. <P>SOLUTION: This detecting device for the visually-impaired which detects an obstacle in the advancing direction when the visually-impaired or the elderly is walking and notifies it to the user is an extremely small type portable device, is easily attached/detached and has safety and stability. This device is characterized in that the user can sense a distance to the obstacle and an object with a user-friendly sound and vibrations and discriminate it with the signals. Alternatives of the installation places of this device are varied. This device can be provided in various forms such as eyeglasses, a hat, a broach, a shoe, a ring, and a bracelet according to the preference request of the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention is an obstacle detection device for visually handicapped persons and elderly people. When a visually handicapped person or elderly person walks, it detects obstacles in the direction of travel and informs the user in a portable and easily removable manner. It is a safe, light and stable obstacle detection system.

This device is a system that aims to avoid danger by projecting infrared LED and detecting reflection when there is an obstacle and receiving it by hearing or vibration.

The present invention is an obstacle detection device for visually handicapped persons and elderly people using an inexpensive infrared LED, and detects an object in a traveling direction or the like when the visually handicapped person or elderly person walks. It informs the user of the position and distance to the object by sound or vibration. In particular, it is safe and convenient and can be designed according to the user. The feature of this apparatus is that the distance to the obstacle can be determined by a signal.

In addition, when notifying an object such as an emergency exit that the user wants to be informed of, or a traffic signal, an infrared LED is attached to the object beforehand, and a special modulation signal is input, so that the presence can be detected through this device. It also makes it possible to inform.

There have been many reports on methods for attaching a conventional object sensing device and guidance device to a room, a walkway, a staircase, or the like. For example, an IC chip is embedded in a cane that has been developed for a visually impaired person (1), and a block for guiding a visually impaired person corresponds to an information reading device. On the other hand, there are (2) a collision avoidance system using radio signals, a radio wave receiving system using artificial satellites, and (3) voice guidance using the other computer. The most similar is (4). This object detection device for visually impaired people uses ultrasonic waves, but our device is characterized by the safest, most convenient and cheap use of infrared rays.

  JP-A-2005-274245   JP2006-12716   JP 2000-263 A   Published 2002-306553

A signal processing circuit that measures the distance and direction of an obstacle to detect obstacles on the front and left and right by detecting the obstacles on the front and left sides when the visually impaired and elderly people walk. It is a very small and simple device with

This device allows a visually impaired person or an elderly person to select the signal according to his / her preference. Further, the user can easily attach and detach the device at his / her preferred location.

Means to solve the problem

This device is a system that aims to avoid danger by projecting infrared LED, detecting reflection when there is an obstacle and receiving it by hearing or vibration

In order to achieve the above object, this system uses a pulse-modulated infrared light emitting LED for the infrared LED of the transmitter, and an output amplifier is connected to the infrared sensor incorporating a filter and an amplifier circuit for the receiver. It is a very small detachable transceiver device.
Reflection (visible) distance on average about 2 meters
Angle 45 degrees

This device separates the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, the amplification oscillating unit, and the conversion unit from electrical signals into mechanical signals so that they can be mounted independently. This gives the system flexibility. Light-emitting LEDs and light-receiving sensors are mounted on the head device to monitor obstacles ahead of the handicapped, but light-emitting LEDs, light-receiving sensors, etc. are placed on the left, right, feet, and overhead according to user orders. These obstacles can be detected.

This device mounts four infrared LEDs, two each on the left and right, modulated by two types of signals for long distance and short distance, to the right and left earphones to the right and left earphones. In principle, it is possible to select a mounting method of an infrared LED or an earphone (or vibration or weak electrical stimulation) according to a user's order.

Infrared emitting elements, light receiving elements, etc. can be manufactured in a very small size compared to ultrasonic elements, and the directivity can be freely designed by the optical system. Alternatively, the accuracy can be increased by attaching an optical system or the like, and the detection area can be expanded by arranging light emitting LEDs, light receiving sensors, optical systems, etc. on the left, right, feet, and head. In addition, the modulated signal output can be further processed according to the order and the degree of obstacles, and these objects and their distances can be detected by weak electrical skin irritation, vibration, etc.

Infrared light emission of this device causes pulse light emission centered on 38 KHz. This makes it possible to use an inexpensive general-purpose remote control sensor. In addition, the center frequency of 38 KHz is modulated, and the sensor output is also filtered to reduce interference from lighting devices such as sunlight and fluorescent lamps, remote controllers, and similar devices.

If the light emitting part of this apparatus is made independent and attached to a dangerous object or the like, the user can be notified of the presence of the dangerous object or the like. This can also be used as a “signpost” at the same time. The above modulation is also used to distinguish this signal from the reflected signal.

The signal given to the user is changed depending on the intensity of the reflected light and the direction of the reflected light. This can inform the user of the device of the approximate distance to the obstacle. The user can know the approximate shape of the object by applying a slight rotation to the device.

A pulse-modulated current is applied to the infrared light emitting LED. The reflected infrared light is received by the light receiving sensor and amplified after filtering the modulation pulse. As the light receiving sensor, a commercially available inexpensive infrared remote control sensor IC is used. The output of this IC is shaped into a necessary waveform and amplified.

Since it is an active type with a built-in infrared light emitting LED, it can be used at night. The sensor portion and the amplifier are extremely small and can be used without placing a burden on the user. In particular, the standard spectacle frame type is easy to attach and detach. Furthermore, it is very flexible because each part can be made independent and brooches, belts, hats, shoes, etc. can be made according to the user's wishes.

A pulse-modulated current is applied to the infrared light emitting LED. The reflected infrared light is received by the light receiving sensor and amplified after filtering the modulation pulse. As the light receiving sensor, a commercially available inexpensive infrared remote control sensor IC is used. The output of this IC is shaped into a necessary waveform and amplified.

The signal received by the user can be judged from the level of the sound through the earphone, the type, and the sense of touch, which is directly attached to the skin and the strength of the pulse signal.

There are various types of signal devices for hearing, such as glasses, pendants, and brooches. From the sense of touch, they are applied directly to the skin and weakly stimulated.

Depending on the user's preference, the user can choose to listen with an earphone, attach a minute pulse generating element directly to the skin, or use these in combination. With respect to the method of mounting this device (light emitting LED or light receiving sensor), it is possible to provide abundant options other than a spectacle frame, a ring, a bracelet, a belt, and a hat.

This apparatus is miniaturized as an active method using an infrared LED and an inexpensive infrared sensor. As a result, it can be used even in places where there is no lighting such as at night.

The signal to be used is changed depending on the intensity of the reflected light and the direction of the reflected light. This can inform the user of the device of the approximate distance to the obstacle. The user can know the approximate shape of the object by applying a slight rotation to the device.

By installing an infrared LED modulated with various signals in advance on traffic signals, emergency exits, dangerous goods, etc., users can be notified of the presence of traffic signals, emergency exits, dangerous goods, etc. through this device. .

The invention's effect

By attaching this light and lightweight device, the purpose is to inform the existence of dangerous goods through hearing and touch, and assists the aggressiveness of walking and behavior of elderly people and visually impaired people who have been deceived so far .

As a feature, since it is an active type incorporating an infrared light emitting LED, it can be used even at night. The sensor portion and the amplifier are extremely small and can be used without placing a burden on the user. In particular, the standard spectacle frame type is easy to attach and detach. Furthermore, it is very flexible because each part can be made independent and brooches, belts, hats, shoes, etc. can be made according to the user's wishes.

Obstacles are detected by the user through auditory stimulation with sound, or weak electrical stimulation, skin stimulation with vibrators, etc. This is also adjustable and can be easily adapted to the user's wishes. Thus, visually impaired or elderly people can easily operate and avoid dangerous goods.

The purpose is to make the device easy to handle and easy to handle in order to avoid the burden of visually impaired people or elderly people wearing this device. Therefore, the device is light and light, easy to attach and detach, and meets the needs of a wide range of users. The signal received by the user is also an auditory stimulus, a weak electrical stimulus, or a skin stimulus by a vibrator, etc., which can also be adjusted to meet the user's wishes.

Claim 1 is a standard system showing a standard type. In the second, third, and fourth aspects, the following system is used. This is a target object equipped with a sensor indicating its presence or situation, and the same one as shown in FIG. 1 is used for reception.

Claims (5)

When the electromagnetic wave transmitted by the electromagnetic wave transmitting means is reflected by the detected obstacle, the electromagnetic wave receiving means for receiving the reflected electromagnetic wave is received by the electromagnetic wave receiving means. An obstacle detection apparatus comprising: an electric signal converting means for converting the electromagnetic wave into an electric signal; and an output means for outputting the electric signal as vibration or sound. 2. The electromagnetic wave transmitting means includes a plurality of electromagnetic wave output units, and the plurality of electromagnetic wave output units output pulse waves of electromagnetic waves having different wavelengths or different patterns, respectively. The obstacle detection device described. The obstacle detection device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical signal converting means converts an infrared pulse wave received by the electromagnetic wave receiving means into a signal. The obstacle detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic wave transmission means is attached to a jewelry and an obstacle. The obstacle detection device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is attached to a clothing accessory.

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