JP2673258B2 - Transmitter for the visually impaired, receiver for the visually impaired, and guiding device for the visually impaired - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention, in order to visually impaired people to recognize your location, a variety of information such as the destination of direction or road conditions, it is possible to go to a safe and reliable destination, light or visual using radio waves Handicapped transmitter, visual
The present invention relates to a receiver for the visually impaired and a guiding device for the visually impaired .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a device of this type, a magnetic substance (cobalt / amorphous) is embedded in a walking path, and when a visually impaired person detects the magnetic substance with a dedicated cane, a vibrator provided on the cane vibrates. by visually handicapped persons know it and, which provides a predetermined information is known to the visually impaired.

[0003]

[SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, in the conventional apparatus, object because the information that can be known visually impaired person only those corresponding to the vibration, much the amount of information is small visually impaired compared to voice There are many problems in guiding people safely and reliably to the earth, and their solution has been desired.

Therefore, the present invention is to provide a device for safely and reliably guiding a visually impaired person to a destination.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

A first invention, as shown in Figure 1, visual impairment
A voice data setting means for setting the sound data relating to the induction of who a particular direction and modulating means for changing the predetermined carrier, the light corresponding to the modulated wave modulated by the modulation means in accordance with the audio data that set And a light emitting means for firing toward .

[0007] The second invention, as shown in Figure 2, certain
A photoelectric conversion unit that receives light from a direction and converts it into an electric signal according to the received light, a demodulation unit that demodulates voice data from the photoelectrically converted electric signal, and a voice that converts the demodulated voice data into voice. And a conversion means.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the third invention comprises a transmitter for the visually impaired according to the first invention and a receiver for the visually impaired according to the second invention.

[0009]

In the transmitter for the visually impaired according to the first aspect of the invention, the audio data regarding the guidance of the visually impaired is set by the audio data setting means such as "soon to be an intersection" or "the ticket gate is on the right." To do. The modulation means changes a predetermined carrier wave according to the set audio data. The light emitting means emits light according to the modulated wave modulated by the modulating means in a specific direction .

On the other hand, in the receiver for the visually impaired according to the second aspect of the invention, the photoelectric conversion means has directivity, and when the light from the light emitting means of the above-mentioned transmitter for the visually impaired is received, the received light becomes the received light. It is converted into a corresponding electric signal. The demodulation means demodulates the audio data from the photoelectrically converted electric signal. The voice conversion means converts the demodulated voice data into voice, so that visually impaired people can respond to walking directions such as "I will soon be at an intersection" or "The ticket gate is on the right."
The appropriate sound is obtained.

Further, the visually impaired person guiding apparatus of the third invention is
And visually impaired transmitter of the first invention, visual impairment of the second invention
And Sha receiver, is made of. Therefore, the transmitter for the visually impaired according to the first aspect of the present invention is installed by embedding it in a highly utilized place for guiding the visually impaired , for example, at a predetermined position such as an intersection or a station premises . Look at the light emitting means
Designed to emit light in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the visually impaired.
Place . On the other hand, if the visually impaired person carrying the visually impaired receiver of the second invention on the go, blind proceeds when walking
You can hear the appropriate voice information according to the line direction . Therefore, the visually impaired can be safely and reliably guided to the destination.

[0012]

EXAMPLE Next, an example of a transmitter for the visually impaired will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, this transmitter for the visually impaired includes an infrared light emitting LED drive circuit 5 for driving an audio EPROM 1, a one-chip type microcomputer 2, a PPM modulator 3, and an infrared light emitting diode 4. Become.

The voice EPROM 1, as described later,
For writing the audio data for guiding safely and reliably to the destination of the visually impaired in accordance with the installation location of the visually impaired transmitter, a EPROM. The microcomputer 2 reads the voice data from the voice EPROM 1,
A reader and a predetermined identification code are added to the voice data, and the voice data is output to the PPM modulator 3.

The PPM modulator 3 changes the pulse position of a carrier according to the output data from the microcomputer 2. This carrier is a pulse wave having a frequency of 33 KHz to 40 KHz. The modulation method may be another known method instead of the PPM modulation. The infrared light emitting LED drive circuit 5 is composed of a transistor, and the infrared light emitting diode 4 is connected to the collector thereof.

Further, the infrared light emitting LED drive circuit 5 and the infrared light emitting diode 4 are unitized as a light emitting unit 7, and the light emitting unit 7 is connected in parallel to the output side of the PPM modulator 3 as required as described later. Configure to connect.

[0017] Next, for the visually impaired receiver corresponding to the visually impaired transmitter described above will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the receiver for the visually impaired has a PIN photodiode 10 and a preamplifier 1.
1, detection / waveform shaping circuit 12, microcomputer 1
3, integrating circuit 14, power amplifier 15, speaker 1
6, and the earphone 17 is composed of a detachable earphone jack 18.

The PIN photodiode 10 has the above-mentioned structure.
The infrared light from the infrared light emitting diode 4 of the transmitter for the visually impaired is received and converted into an electric signal according to the received light. The pre-amplifier 11 amplifies the converted electric signal, and the detection / waveform shaping circuit 12 detects the amplified signal and then shapes the waveform.

The microcomputer 13 inputs the signal processed by the detection / waveform shaping circuit 12, and when the identification code in the signal matches a predetermined identification code, extracts only the signal related to the voice data. It is what is output. The integrating circuit 14 integrates the output signal from the microcomputer 13 to obtain a voice signal. The power amplifier 15 power-amplifies the audio signal and drives the speaker 16.

The receiver for the visually impaired having the above-described structure is arranged at each portion of the cane 19 for the visually impaired as shown in FIG. That is, the lower end of the cane 19 is opened and the lower end side thereof is hollow, and P as a light receiving means is provided in the hollow portion.
The IN photodiode 10 is arranged. The speaker 16 and the earphone jack 18 are attached to the upper end of the cane 19. Further, a printed circuit board 20 on which each circuit except the PIN photodiode 10, the speaker 16 and the earphone jack 18 is mounted is built in at a predetermined position of the cane 19.

[0022] Next, the above-mentioned for the visually impaired transmitter, visual
In order to guide the visually impaired person to the destination safely and reliably when the visually impaired person goes out, it is installed at an intersection or a station yard that is highly used. An example of the installation will be described below.

First, when installing at an intersection 23 in the middle of a road connecting the city hall 21 and the station 22, as shown in FIG. 7, a braille block 24 with a built-in transmitter is provided on each sidewalk in front of the intersection 23. Install and realize. This Braille block 24 with a built-in transmitter has a visual barrier on the back side of the Braille block.
The transmitter 25 for victims is integrally attached.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the infrared light emitting diode 4 of the transmitter 25 for the visually impaired is attached to the attachment hole 26 formed in the center of the Braille block 24 with a built-in transmitter at an attachment angle θ. The infrared rays from the infrared light emitting diode 4 have excellent directivity and are less affected by reflection.
Therefore, the operating range of the infrared light emitting diode 4 is as shown in FIG.
As shown by, the operating range is about ± 30 degrees around the mounting angle θ. Correspondingly, PIN of cane 19
The infrared detection range of the photodiode 10 is shown in FIG.
As shown by, the angle is about ± 15 degrees about the axis of the cane 19.

In this way, each transmitter built-in Braille block 24 to which the infrared light emitting diode 4 is attached has an intersection 23.
Attached to the cane 19 by a visually impaired person in front of the
The photo diode 10 is installed so that it can receive the light from the infrared light emitting diode 4.

Next, when installing on the premises of a station, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a transmitter-embedded braille block 24A, 24B, 24C similar to the transmitter-embedded braille block 24 in place of the ordinary braille block in a place necessary for guidance in the usual braille block for guidance. , 24D are arranged respectively.

Further, in the case of a platform at a station, as shown in FIG. 12, a braille block 24E with a built-in transmitter similar to the braille block 24 with a built-in transmitter is installed at a predetermined position and a large number of non-transmitters are installed. Built-in Braille block 27 (Fig. 16)
(See) along the edge of the platform. Then, a plurality of light emitting units 7 are added to the transmitter 25 for visually impaired persons attached to the Braille block 24E with a built-in transmitter, and the infrared light emitting diodes 4 of each of the light emitting units 7 are connected to the jack (not shown) of the optical connector 30. No)) side. Further, a plurality of optical fibers 3 are provided on the plug side of the optical connector 30.
1 (see FIG. 14), bundle these optical fibers 31 and bury them on the back side of the non-transmitter type braille block 27 at the platform of the station (see FIG. 13). A corresponding optical fiber 31 is set up at a position 27, as shown in FIG. And
The raised optical fiber 31 is attached to an attachment hole 28 formed in the center of the Braille block 27 without a transmitter at an attachment angle θ of about 45 degrees so that light can be emitted to the ground.

Next, an operation example of the embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the Braille block 24 with a built-in transmitter is installed in front of the intersection 23, the voice EPR of the transmitter 25 for the visually impaired person is installed according to the installation location.
The voice data necessary for guiding the visually impaired person is written in OM1. As the audio data, impaired vision as shown in Figure 7
Braille block with built-in transmitter 24 where the victim stands
In the case of the transmitter 25 for the visually impaired , "It is an intersection soon. Please turn left to the station and right to the city hall."
become that way.

In this manner, the visual EPROM 1 is visually recognized.
If you write the voice data necessary for guiding people with disabilities ,
The microcomputer 2 reads the voice data from the voice EPROM 1, adds a reader and a predetermined identification code to the voice data, and outputs the voice data to the PPM modulator 3.
Since the PPM modulator 3 changes the pulse position of a carrier (carrier wave) composed of pulses according to the output from the microcomputer 2, the PPM modulator 3 outputs a modulated wave as shown in FIG. The infrared light emitting LED drive circuit 5 controls on / off of the light emission of the infrared light emitting diode 4 by the modulated wave from the PPM modulator 3. Therefore, infrared rays corresponding to the control are emitted from the infrared light emitting diode 4 toward the ground (see FIG. 10).

On the other hand, a PIN provided on the cane 19 by a visually impaired person
Transmitter 2 for the visually impaired by photo diode 10
When the light from the infrared light emitting diode 4 of 5 is received, it is converted into an electric signal corresponding to the light. Preamplifier 11
Amplifies the converted electric signal, and the detection / waveform shaping circuit 12 detects the amplified signal and then shapes the waveform, so that the output signal has a waveform with the carrier removed as shown in FIG. Become. The microcomputer 13 inputs the signal processed by the detection / waveform shaping circuit 12, and when the identification code matches a predetermined identification code, extracts only the signal related to the audio data and outputs it.

The integrating circuit 14 is the microcomputer 1
Since the voice data from 3 is integrated, a voice signal as shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. The power amplifier 15 power-amplifies the audio signal and drives the speaker 16. As a result, the visually impaired will say, "It will soon be an intersection. To the left of the station,
Turn right at the city hall. You can hear voice information such as ". Therefore, the accurate voice information enables the visually impaired person to safely and surely go to the destination.

When it is desired to use the earphone 17, the earphone jack 18 is connected to the earphone 17.
When the plug is inserted, only the earphone 17 can be used instead of the speaker 16.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, Braille blocks 24A, 24B, 24C and 24 with built-in transmitters are installed in the station premises.
When installing D, there is a visual impairment depending on the installation location.
The voice data necessary for guiding the visually impaired person is written in the voice EPROM 1 of the transmitter 25 for the handicapped person . This audio data is, for example, a visual defect in the Braille block 24A with a built-in transmitter.
In the case of the transmitter 25 for a person , "Please go to the right for line 1 and 2 for the line 3", Braille block 2 with a built-in transmitter
In the case of 4B of the visually impaired for the transmitter 25 "ticket gate is right.", Visually impaired of the transmitter built-in Braille block 24C
In the case of the transmitter 25 for people with disabilities, "The ticket gate is on the left."
In case of, it becomes like "Down stairs, please be careful."

In the case of the transmitter 25 for the visually impaired of the Braille block 24E with a built-in transmitter installed at the platform of the station, the voice data written in the voice EPROM 1 is, for example, "Dangerous. Please drop down." To do.

Next, an operation example of the transmitter 25 for the visually impaired of the Braille block 24E with a built-in transmitter installed at the platform of the station will be described.

In this case, the visual impairment is the same as above.
The operation is shut for the transmitter 25 but, for the visually impaired transmitter 25
Since the light emitting unit 7 is additionally installed in the above, the light from each corresponding infrared light emitting diode 4 propagates in the corresponding optical fiber 31 and radiates infrared rays toward the ground at the end thereof (FIG. 16). reference). Therefore, visually the light
PIN photo diode 10 installed on cane 19 by a disabled person
If it is detected by, it is possible to hear the voice information "Dangerous. Please drop me down."

Braille characters 24A, 24B with built-in transmitter,
The transmitters 25 for the visually impaired, which are installed on the back surfaces of the 24C and 24D, operate in the same manner as described above, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

In the above-mentioned embodiments , the guiding device for the visually impaired is explained, but the present invention can be applied to a guiding system for automobiles, a guiding system for the elderly, etc., in addition to the guiding device for the visually impaired .

[0040]

As described above, the visual impediment of the first invention is as follows.
In the transmitter for victims , the visual data is impaired by the voice data setting means.
Be arbitrarily set the predetermined audio data relating to the induction of business, its causes the set according to the audio data to change the predetermined carrier, especially light in response to the modulated waves that modulate
I tried to fire in a fixed direction . Thus, the visually impaired transmitter of the first invention, on which can set appropriate voice information on the induction of visually impaired people, the light including audio information
It can be fired in a specific direction, and it can be expected that the visually handicapped will utilize the audio information.

Further, in the receiver for the visually impaired according to the second aspect of the invention, when the photoelectric conversion means having directivity receives light from the light emitting means of the transmitter for the visually impaired , it photoelectrically converts it into an electric signal. After converting and demodulating voice data from the photoelectrically converted electric signal, the voice data is converted into voice. Therefore, in the receiver for the visually impaired according to the second aspect of the invention, the visually impaired can hear appropriate audio information according to the traveling direction when walking, and if the visually impaired carries the audio information when he or she goes out, the audio information is transmitted. Can be used to take action.

[0042] Further, Blind induction device of the third invention, a visually impaired transmitter of the first invention, the visual of the second aspect of the invention
And a receiver for people with disabilities . Therefore, the first
The transmitter for the visually impaired of the invention is installed at a predetermined position such as an intersection or a station yard for guiding the visually impaired ,
At this time, set the light emitting means in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the visually impaired.
Set up to emit light . On the other hand, visually impaired people are second
If you carry the receiver for the visually impaired of the invention when you go out,
The receiver for the visually impaired allows the visually impaired to advance when walking.
You can hear the appropriate voice information according to the line direction . Therefore, the visually impaired can safely and reliably be guided to the destination to act.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a first invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a second invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a third invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a transmitter for the visually impaired according to the first invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a transmitter for the visually impaired according to the second invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a cane incorporating a receiver for the visually impaired .

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an installation example of a transmitter for the visually impaired .

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a Braille block with a built-in transmitter.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation range of an infrared light emitting diode of a transmitter for the visually impaired .

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a detection range of a PIN photo diode provided on a cane.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another installation example of the transmitter for the visually impaired .

FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a relationship between an optical connector and an optical fiber.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a startup state of an optical fiber.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a Braille block without a transmitter.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Voice EPROM 2, 13 Microcomputer 3 PPM modulator 4 Infrared light emitting diode 5 Infrared light emitting LED drive circuit 10 PIN photo diode 11 Pre-amplifier 12 Detection / waveform shaping circuit 14 Integration circuit 15 Power amplifier 16 Speaker 19 Cane 24 Transmission Braille block with built-in device 25 Transmitter for the visually impaired 27 Block without built-in transmitter

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A voice data setting means for setting voice data for guiding a visually impaired person , a modulating means for changing a predetermined carrier wave according to the set voice data, and a modulated wave modulated by the modulating means. How to specify the light according to
A transmitter for a visually impaired person , comprising: a light emitting unit that emits in a direction . 2. A photoelectric conversion means for receiving light from a specific direction and converting it into an electric signal according to the received light, a demodulation means for demodulating voice data from the photoelectrically converted electric signal, and the demodulated voice data. A receiver for the visually impaired, comprising: a voice conversion unit that converts the voice into voice. 3. A voice data setting means for setting voice data for guiding visually impaired persons , a modulating means for changing a predetermined carrier wave according to the set voice data, and a modulated wave modulated by the modulating means. Depending on the direction of light
A transmitter for the visually impaired , which includes a light emitting unit that emits a light beam, a photoelectric conversion unit that receives light from a specific direction and converts it into an electric signal corresponding to the received light, and the photoelectrically converted electric signal A visually impaired person guiding device comprising: a receiver for the visually impaired , which comprises demodulation means for demodulating the audio data from the audio data and audio conversion means for converting the demodulated audio data into audio.