JP7080492B2 - Walking assist device for the visually impaired and walking assist method for the visually impaired - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act Published on October 20, 2018 in "IEICE Technical Report Vol. 118 No. 270, pp. 37-38". It was exhibited at the "West Japan International Welfare Equipment Exhibition" held at the West Japan General Exhibition Center New Building (3-8-1 Asano, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture) from November 15th to 17th, 2018.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a walking assist device for the visually impaired and a walking assist method for the visually impaired.

It is said that there are currently about 310,000 visually impaired people, for example, who have been issued a certificate of the physically disabled. Of these, for example, visually impaired people from grades 1 to 3 often feel anxiety and inconvenience in moving because the degree of disability is severe.

Not only is it anxious for the visually impaired to go to places that are unfamiliar to them, but it can also be dangerous when crossing a road, for example. For example, traffic lights are often installed on pedestrian crossings, but acoustic signals that are friendly to the visually impaired are rarely installed. In addition, there are places where there are as few steps as possible between the roadway and the sidewalk in order to be barrier-free, but for the visually impaired, the boundary between the sidewalk and the roadway is due to the fact that there is no step between the sidewalk and the roadway. I don't know, and sometimes it's dangerous.

Furthermore, in recent years, many visually impaired people have fallen from platforms at train stations. This is mainly because the Braille blocks installed on the platform floor are difficult to understand, and the platform doors are not installed.

In other words, it can be said that the anxiety and inconvenience of movement felt by the visually impaired is due to the difficulty in grasping and judging the surrounding situation in a timely manner. Various devices have been developed as devices for avoiding anxiety, inconvenience, and danger during walking of such visually impaired persons.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-034490

For example, the above patent document describes an embodiment in which an obstacle appearing in front is grasped by using a camera equipped with a frame having the same shape as eyeglasses. However, in the invention described in the patent document, for example, it is not possible to cooperate with a white cane used by a visually impaired person when walking.

Here, in order to eliminate the anxiety and inconvenience of movement of the visually impaired, it is conceivable to wear various devices when walking, but for example, the device to be worn is heavy and feels a foreign body sensation. When it comes to that, while safety is ensured, movement becomes a hassle in the first place. In addition, normally, a white cane is often used when walking, but if the number of devices other than the white cane increases to ensure safety, it becomes difficult to manage the devices including the white cane.

Furthermore, when a visually impaired person is walking, he / she concentrates on walking, and even in a situation where danger may occur, sudden voice notification is often rather dangerous for the visually impaired person.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to be as visual as possible even when a visually impaired person encounters a dangerous situation, a disaster, or the like when walking. It is an object of the present invention to provide a walking assist device for the visually impaired and a walking assist method for the visually impaired, which can move freely without feeling stress like a healthy person while avoiding a crisis by the disabled alone.

The walking assist device for the visually impaired in the embodiment includes a wearing device and a presentation device. The wearing device is worn by a visually impaired person and detects the surrounding situation of the visually impaired person when the visually impaired person walks. In addition, the presentation device is attached to a white cane held by a visually impaired person when walking. Then, when a dangerous situation exists as a result of the detection , the visually impaired person is alerted through the vibrating part of the presentation device, and the visually impaired person operates the input part of the presentation device to wear the device. After receiving the consent to obtain the notification by , the wearing device notifies the visually impaired of the current situation.

The method for assisting walking for the visually impaired in the embodiment is when a visually impaired person walks using a walking assist device for the visually impaired, which comprises a wearing device worn by the visually impaired and a presentation device attached to a white cane. The wearing device constantly detects the situation around the visually impaired person, and the wearing device acquires the past biological information of the visually impaired person that matches the current situation in which the visually impaired person exists. The step of determining whether or not the device can notify the visually impaired using the detection result and the acquired biometric information, and when it is determined that a dangerous situation exists as a result of the determination, the vibrating part of the presentation device. The device is equipped with a step to alert the visually impaired to notify the current situation and a signal of consent to the alert based on the operation of the input part of the presentation device by the visually impaired. It includes a receiving step and, after receiving consent, a step in which the wearing device notifies the visually impaired of the current situation.

By using the walking assist device for the visually impaired and the walking assist method for the visually impaired as described above, it is possible even if the visually impaired person encounters a dangerous situation or a disaster when walking. As long as the visually impaired can avoid the crisis alone, it will be possible to move freely without feeling stress like a healthy person.

It is an overall view which shows the state which the visually impaired person wears the walking assist device for the visually impaired person in embodiment. It is an overall view which shows the whole of the wearing device among the walking assist devices for the visually impaired in the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the walking assist device for the visually impaired in embodiment. It is a table which shows the past biological information of the visually impaired person stored in the storage part in embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the present situation of the visually impaired person in embodiment. In the embodiment, it is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the display of the image displayed on the wearing device at the time of notifying a visually impaired person. In the embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows the flow of notifying the visually impaired person of the present situation. In the embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows the flow of notifying the visually impaired person of the present situation.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Overall configuration of walking assist device for the visually impaired]
FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a state in which the visually impaired person H wears the walking assist device 1 for the visually impaired in the embodiment. The walking assist device 1 for the visually impaired is composed of a wearing device 2 and a presentation device 3. As shown in FIG. 1, when the visually impaired person H walks, the wearing device 2 constituting the visually impaired walking assist device 1 is attached to the face. In addition, he holds a white cane W in his hand to grasp the condition of the road surface. A presentation device 3 is attached to the white cane W.

As the form of the wearing device 2, for example, a form such as glasses or a form such as a hat worn on the head can be considered, but any form may be adopted. In the following description, a glasses-type device will be described as an example of the wearing device 2.

FIG. 2 is an overall view showing the entire eyeglass-type device 2 according to the embodiment. The glasses-type device 2 is worn to detect the surrounding conditions when the visually impaired person H walks. As shown in FIG. 2, the glasses-type device 2 has a so-called eyeglass shape. The method worn by the visually impaired person H is the same as the method of wearing general glasses.

The eyeglass-type device 2 in the embodiment of the present invention is as shown in FIG. 2, but the shape of the entire eyeglass-type device 2 and the shape of a part thereof is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. do not have.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the glasses-type device 2 and the presentation device 3 of the walking assist device 1 for the visually impaired in the embodiment. In the glasses-type device 2, the detection unit 21, the learning unit 22, the comparison determination unit 23, and the notification unit 24 are connected to each other via the bus B. Further, the storage unit 25, the control unit 26, the display control unit 27, and the transmission / reception unit 28 are also connected.

The detection unit 21 includes a distance measuring sensor 211, a positioning / orientation sensor 212, and a biological information sensor 213 that detects biological information of a visually impaired person. The distance measuring sensor 211 measures the distance between the visually impaired person H and the visually impaired person H with respect to various objects existing in the surroundings when the visually impaired person H walks. As the distance measuring sensor 211, for example, a camera such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) camera, millimeter waves, infrared rays, or the like can be used.

In the spectacle-type device 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the distance measuring sensor 211 is hooked on the ear of the visually impaired person H in order to hold the spectacle-type device 2, for example, a so-called vine, a lens. It is provided at the boundary with the portion. Further, in the glasses-type device 2, distance measuring sensors 211 are provided on both the left and right sides, respectively.

In the eyeglass-type device 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the distance measuring sensor 211 is provided at the above-mentioned position, but the distance measuring sensor 211 is not limited to these positions, and the situation around the visually impaired person H is not limited to these positions. It may be provided at any position as long as the distance measurement necessary for grasping the above can be performed. Further, the number of distance measuring sensors 211 provided may not be limited, such as being provided on only one side or on the vine portion, not on both the left and right sides.

The positioning / orientation sensor 212 is a sensor that measures the position where the visually impaired person H is equipped with the walking assist device 1 for the visually impaired, the walking speed, and the like. As the positioning / orientation sensor 212, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System), LTE (Long Term Evolution), gyro, acceleration sensor and the like can be used. However, it is possible to freely select which device is used as the positioning / orientation sensor 212 and how many devices are used.

In the eyeglass-type device 2 shown in FIG. 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the distance measuring sensor 211 and the positioning / direction sensor 212 are provided, for example, on the upper part of the portion corresponding to the lens. Alternatively, it may be provided on the vine portion.

In this way, using the distance measuring sensor 211 and the positioning / orientation sensor 212, in particular, using the above-mentioned camera and millimeter waves, the circumference of the visually impaired person H who wears the walking assist device 1 for the visually impaired is 360 degrees. Detect in real time (always). In addition, the upper body portion of the visually impaired person H is also detected. Since the visually impaired person H usually walks with the white cane W, he / she can grasp various information through the white cane W for his / her lower body part, but tends to be defenseless for the upper body part. Therefore, by using the distance measuring sensor 211 and the positioning / direction sensor 212, the upper body portion of the visually impaired person H is also detected.

The biological information sensor 213 is, for example, a sensor that detects the heart rate of the visually impaired person H in real time. By measuring the heart rate during walking, for example, it is possible to grasp the physical condition of the visually impaired person H when it is necessary to notify the visually impaired person H of the danger. As the biological information sensor 213, for example, an electrocardiograph or the like can be used. In the eyeglass-type device 2 shown in FIG. 2, for example, it is provided in a portion of the vine that touches the ear of the visually impaired person H.

Here, in the embodiment of the present invention, when determining whether or not to notify the visually impaired person H, the biometric information acquired by the biometric information sensor 213 in real time is not used but acquired in the past. Use the biometric information provided. This is because the danger can be more appropriately notified to the visually impaired person H by using the biological information acquired in the past. The biometric information acquired in real time by the biometric information sensor 213 is stored in the storage unit 25.

The learning unit 22 acquires the past biological information of the visually impaired person H. Regarding the response to the movement that the visually impaired person H has experienced so far, when the comparative judgment unit 23, which will be described later, determines whether or not to notify the visually impaired person H of the danger, it is reflected in the judgment from the viewpoint of biometric information. This is to make you.

Specifically, in the learning unit 22, when the comparative determination unit 23 determines whether or not the danger is notified to the visually impaired person H, the visually impaired person is selected from the past biological information stored in the storage unit 25. Acquire biometric information that matches the current situation of H.

Here, the "biological information that matches the current situation" is not only the biological information in the past situation when the visually impaired person H completely matches (matches) the current situation in which the visually impaired person H is placed, but also generally matches. It also includes the biometric information acquired in the situation. If it is limited to the case where the visually impaired person H completely matches the current situation in which the visually impaired person H is placed, the past biometric information is used only when the visually impaired person H goes to a place where he / she has been. This is because it will be possible to do so, and it will not be available when moving to a new location.

FIG. 4 is a table showing past biological information of the visually impaired person H stored in the storage unit 25 described later in the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 25 collectively stores the place, when, and under what environment the biological information of the visually impaired person H was acquired. In addition, "keywords" are also associated and stored. As this keyword, for example, the contents such as "station", "platform", or "traffic light" acquired from the information about the place are stored.

The learning unit 22 grasps keywords from, for example, information about the location based on the detection results acquired in real time by the distance measuring sensor 211 and the positioning / orientation sensor 212. Then, the biometric information having the same keyword is extracted from the past biometric information stored in the storage unit 25. By performing such processing in the learning unit 22, it is possible to acquire biometric information of the visually impaired person H in a similar situation, although the situation is not exactly the same as the situation in which the visually impaired person H is currently placed. , It can be useful for determining whether or not the danger is notified to the visually impaired person H.

The comparative determination unit 23 determines the current situation of the visually impaired person H, that is, whether or not the danger is notified to the visually impaired person H. The information used by the comparison determination unit 23 when making the determination is the detection result acquired in real time by the distance measuring sensor 211 and the positioning / orientation sensor 212 and the past biological information of the visually impaired person H extracted by the learning unit 22. Is.

The notification unit 24 notifies the visually impaired person H of the current situation. However, as will be described later, when the comparison determination unit 23 determines that it is necessary to notify the visually impaired person H of the danger, the current situation is given to the visually impaired person H via the presentation device 3. When a signal of consent from the visually impaired person H for this warning is received, the notification unit 24 notifies the visually impaired person H of the current situation.

This is because, as described above, when the visually impaired person H is walking, he pays close attention and concentrates on walking. Therefore, even in the current situation, it is rather dangerous to suddenly notify the visually impaired person H. This is because there is a possibility that the situation will be different. Therefore, after taking the steps as described above, the visually impaired person H is notified. The flow of notification will be described later.

The notification unit 24 may notify the visually impaired person H of the current situation in any way, but in the embodiment of the present invention, the glasses-type device 2 cooperates with the display control unit 27 described later. Notify by displaying the situation on the lens part of. In addition, the notification may be performed by voice or the like, and a plurality of methods may be combined for notification.

The storage unit 25 is made of, for example, a semiconductor or the like. In the storage unit 25, for example, the past biological information of the visually impaired person H shown in FIG. 4 described above is stored. In addition, a program or the like executed to notify the visually impaired person H of the current situation is stored.

The control unit 26 controls each unit constituting the glasses-type device 2. As a specific configuration, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), which are not shown in FIG. 3, are provided.

The CPU reads and executes a boot program for starting the glasses-type device 2 from the ROM based on an input signal from, for example, an ON / OFF switch of the glasses-type device 2 (not shown), and stores the boot program in the storage unit 25. Read various operating systems.

Further, the CPU reads out the programs and data stored in the RAM, the storage unit 25, and the like, and loads them into the RAM. Then, based on the instruction from the notification unit 24, the CPU wirelessly controls the presentation device 3 to perform an operation for calling attention to the visually impaired person H.

The display control unit 27 controls the display on the lens portion of the eyeglass-type device 2 when notifying the visually impaired person H. The content to be displayed on the lens portion is stored in the storage unit 25 in advance, and is, for example, selected and displayed in advance by the selection of the visually impaired person H or automatically.

Here, the lens portion is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display. This lens portion receives an output signal from the display control unit 27 via the bus B, and displays information on the current situation and danger to the visually impaired person H.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the current situation of the visually impaired person H in the embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a bird's-eye view from above, centering on the visually impaired person H. First, there is a building on the right side of the visually impaired person H, and the door connected to the passage in the building is open. Further, in front of the right hand, there is an opponent who comes from the front of the visually impaired person H toward the visually impaired person H. Next, looking at the left side of the visually impaired person H, the left side is the road. A signboard is planted in the front left and trees are planted in the rear left between the road and the visually impaired person H.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of displaying an image displayed on the eyeglass-type device 2 when notifying the visually impaired person H in the embodiment. The display control unit 27 causes the lens portion of the eyeglass-type device 2 worn by the visually impaired person H to display the current situation.

Note that FIG. 6 shows an example in which the current situation is displayed on the lens portion on either the right side or the left side of the eyeglass-type device 2. However, it is possible to arbitrarily set which lens portion is to be displayed or which lens portion is to be displayed so as to straddle both lens portions.

As shown in FIG. 6, the visually impaired person H is indicated by a double circle in the center of the display area. Opponents approaching from the front are shown in a star shape. Other buildings, signboards, etc. are arranged at their respective positions so as to show the current situation shown in FIG. By displaying the result detected by the detection unit 21 on the lens portion in this way, the visually impaired person H is notified.

The transmission / reception unit 28 wirelessly exchanges signals between the glasses-type device 2 and the presentation device 3. Specifically, the transmission / reception unit 28 of the glasses-type device 2 alerts the transmission / reception unit 31 of the presentation device 3 as a preliminary step to notify the visually impaired person H of the current situation via the presentation device 3. Send a signal to do. On the other hand, the presentation device 3 receives a signal of consent from the visually impaired person H for this alert.

The presentation device 3 is used to call attention to the visually impaired person H to notify the current situation. The presentation device 3 includes a transmission / reception unit 31, a vibration unit 32, and an input unit 33.

The transmission / reception unit 31 receives a signal from the transmission / reception unit 28 of the glasses-type device 2 to call attention to the visually impaired person H to notify the current situation. Further, a signal of consent from the visually impaired person H for this alert is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit 28 of the glasses-type device 2.

Based on the instruction of the control unit 26, the vibrating unit 32 alerts the visually impaired person H in order to notify the current situation. Specifically, when the vibrating unit 32 vibrates, the white cane W to which the presentation device 3 is attached is vibrated to alert the visually impaired person H. Therefore, the vibrating unit 32 is composed of, for example, a vibrating element that vibrates based on a signal from the control unit 26.

The input unit 33 understands that the visually impaired person H who has received the attention has received the attention, and acknowledges that the glasses-type device 2 notifies the visually impaired person H about the current situation in which the visually impaired person H is placed. It is used when transmitting a signal to that effect to the glasses-type device 2.

Various modes such as buttons, switches, dials, etc. can be considered for the form of the input unit 33, but it is possible for the visually impaired person H to reliably transmit a signal to the effect that the eyeglass-type device 2 has been approved. However, any aspect may be used.

The presentation device 3 is attached to a white cane W held by the visually impaired person H when walking. Various methods can be considered for attaching to the white cane W, but any method can be used to attach the white cane W to the white cane W as long as it can surely call attention to the visually impaired person H. It may be attached.

The functions of the learning unit 22, the comparison determination unit 23, the notification unit 24, the display control unit 27, and the transmission / reception unit 28 have been described as being executed under the control of the control unit 26. That is, it can be understood that the processing performed by each of these units is each function of the control unit 26, such as a learning function, a comparison determination function, a notification function, and a display control function.

On the other hand, it is also possible to configure each of these functions or a plurality of functions together as a circuit or a device. For example, when each function is configured as an individual circuit or device, a detection device, a learning circuit, a comparison / determination circuit, a notification circuit, a display control circuit, and a transmission / reception circuit are provided in addition to the control circuit.

[motion]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the flow of processing until the visually impaired walking assist device 1 detects and notifies the current surrounding situation of the visually impaired person H will be described. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing a flow of notifying the visually impaired person H of the current situation in the embodiment.

At the start of walking, the visually impaired person H wears a glasses-type device 2 and holds a white cane W to which the presentation device 3 is attached, as shown in FIG. When the visually impaired person H wears the spectacle-type device 2, the power of the spectacle-type device 2 is turned on, and the detection unit 21 starts detecting the current situation (ST1).

Here, it was decided that the visually impaired person H would turn on the glasses-type device 2 by wearing the glasses-type device 2, but of course, the visually impaired person H himself turned on the glasses-type device 2. Is also good.

As described above, the detection unit 21 includes a distance measuring sensor 211. Therefore, the control unit 26 acquires the information of the detection result from the distance measuring sensor 211 via the detection unit 21 (ST2). The acquired detection result is transmitted to the comparison determination unit 23, and the analysis of the detection result is executed (ST3). As a result of the analysis by the comparative determination unit 23, it is determined whether or not there is a dangerous substance within the predetermined range of the visually impaired person H (ST4).

Here, a predetermined range for determining the presence or absence of a dangerous substance can be arbitrarily set. That is, a sensor such as a camera can be used, for example, a radius of 3 m centered on the visually impaired person H can be set as a predetermined range. This determination can be said to be, so to speak, the first confirmation process of the current situation in notifying the visually impaired person H. As a result of the analysis by the comparison determination unit 23, if there is no dangerous substance within the predetermined range (NO in ST4), the process returns to step ST2 again to continuously detect the surroundings of the visually impaired person H.

On the other hand, as a result of analysis by the comparison determination unit 23, if a dangerous substance exists within a predetermined range (YES in ST4), then the detection unit 21 acquires the detection result using the positioning / orientation sensor 212. , Sent to the comparison determination unit 23 (ST5). The comparison determination unit 23 performs analysis based on the detection result from the received positioning / orientation sensor 212 (ST6).

The detection using the positioning / orientation sensor 212 detects whether or not there is a dangerous substance at the present location of the visually impaired person H, for example, detecting the inclination of the visually impaired person H using a gyro. If, as a result of the analysis by the comparative determination unit 23, it can be determined that there is no dangerous substance at the current location (NO in ST7), the process returns to step ST2 and continues to detect the surroundings of the visually impaired person H. This determination can be said to be, so to speak, the second confirmation process of the current situation in notifying the visually impaired person H.

If it is determined that there is a dangerous substance at the current location (YES in ST7), then the control unit 26 confirms the past biological information of the visually impaired person H at the current location via the learning unit 22. (ST8). The learning unit 22 confirms whether or not there is appropriate biometric information for determining the presence or absence of danger at the current location from the past biometric information of the visually impaired person H stored in the storage unit 25 (ST9). ). That is, first, the learning unit 22 confirms whether or not the biological information at the same place where the visually impaired person H is currently located is stored in the storage unit 25.

If appropriate biometric information cannot be extracted from the storage unit 25 based on the current location of the visually impaired person H (NO in ST9), then the learning unit 22 searches for reference biometric information. (ST10). The biometric information referred to here is, among the past biometric information, the past biometric information at a place close to the current location with reference to, for example, the longitude and latitude as shown in FIG. It is also effective to search the past biometric information when the visually impaired person H is at the station, for example, by using the keyword.

The learning unit 22 searches whether or not the reference biological information can be extracted from the storage unit 25 (ST11), and continues the search until it is extracted (NO in ST11). On the other hand, when the reference biometric information can be extracted from the storage unit 25 (YES in ST11), the past biometric information that could be extracted is compared with the preset threshold value (Fig.). 8 ST12). Of course, even when the past biometric information at the same place where the visually impaired person H is originally present can be acquired (YES in ST9), the past biometric information acquired in the same manner is compared with the threshold value.

Here, it is confirmed whether or not the past biometric information exceeds the threshold value in the place where the visually impaired person H is currently present, and if the heart rate becomes very high, important biometric information is obtained in the past. This is because it can be determined that there is a danger if the visually impaired person H is in the same place or a similar place.

That is, the comparison determination unit 23 is currently in view of the detection results obtained from the distance measurement sensor 211 and the positioning / direction sensor 212 in the detection unit 21 and the past biological information of the visually impaired person H extracted by the learning unit 22. It will be determined whether or not there is a danger in the place where the visually impaired person H is present.

If the comparison determination unit 23 does not determine that the threshold value is exceeded (NO in ST12 in FIG. 8), the process returns to step ST2 and continues to detect the surroundings of the visually impaired person H.

On the other hand, if the comparative determination unit 23 compares the past biological information of the visually impaired person H with the threshold value and determines that the threshold value is exceeded (YES in ST12), there is a danger in the current situation of the visually impaired person H. It is determined that it exists (ST13).

Then, attention is drawn to the visually impaired person H (ST14). Specifically, the notification unit 24 transmits a signal to the presentation device 3 via the transmission / reception unit 28. In the presentation device 3, the transmission / reception unit 31 receives a signal for calling attention from the glasses-type device 2, drives the vibration element constituting the vibration unit 32, and transmits the vibration to the white cane W.

At the same time, the control unit 26 stores the current situation in the storage unit 25 together with the heart rate of the visually impaired person H acquired from the biological information sensor 213 (ST15). The biological information stored in the storage unit 25 will be the judgment information when the visually impaired person H is informed of the danger when walking in the future.

Here, the process of calling attention to the visually impaired person H and the process of storing the current situation in the storage unit 25 have been described in the order described above. However, even if they are not processed in this order, they may be processed in parallel or may be processed in a different order.

The control unit 26 confirms whether or not the signal of whether or not the visually impaired person H who has received the attention has agreed to be notified of the current situation is transmitted from the presentation device 3 to the eyeglass-type device 2. (ST16). Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not the visually impaired person H has sent the glasses-type device 2 signal using the input unit 33 of the presentation device 3.

If the control unit 26 cannot receive the consent signal from the visually impaired person H (NO in ST16), the control unit 26 continues to vibrate the vibrating unit 32. On the other hand, when the visually impaired person H transmits an consent signal and the transmission / reception unit 28 of the glasses-type device 2 receives the signal (YES in ST16), the visually impaired person H is notified of the current situation. to decide.

When the visually impaired person H transmits an consent signal, the control unit 26 transmits a drive signal to the presentation device 3 so that the vibrating unit 32 vibrates when the signal is received. Stop. Alternatively, the vibration of the vibrating unit 32 may be stopped when the visually impaired person H operates the input unit 33.

Further, the control unit 26 further receives a signal from the detection unit 21 that continuously detects the movement of the visually impaired person H, and confirms whether the visually impaired person H has stopped (stopped) (ST17). As described above, it is rather dangerous to suddenly notify the current situation when the visually impaired person H is walking. Therefore, the control unit 26 confirms whether or not the visually impaired person H has stopped based on the detection result by the detection unit 21.

If the visually impaired person H does not stop (NO in ST17), the notification process is set to a standby state until the visually impaired person H stops. Alternatively, the visually impaired person H may be alerted again.

On the other hand, when the visually impaired person stops (YES in ST17), the current situation is displayed on the lens portion of the eyeglass-type device 2 in order to notify the visually impaired person H about the current situation (ST18). Here, the current situation displayed on the lens portion is displayed in a display mode as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

The detection unit 21 is also provided with a biometric information sensor 213. The biometric information sensor 213 detects a change in heart rate when the visually impaired person H walks in real time and stores it in the storage unit 25. ..

According to the above at least one embodiment, by performing such a process, the visually impaired person alone as much as possible even when the handicapped person encounters a dangerous situation or a disaster when walking. It is possible to move freely without feeling stress like a healthy person while avoiding a crisis.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof, as are included in the scope and gist of the invention.

1 Walking assist device for the visually impaired 2 Glasses type device 21 Detection unit 22 Learning unit 23 Comparison judgment unit 24 Notification unit 25 Storage unit 26 Control unit 27 Display control unit 28 Transmission / reception unit 3 Presentation device 31 Transmission / reception unit 32 Vibration unit 33 Input unit

Claims (5)

A wearing device that is worn by a visually impaired person and detects the surrounding situation of the visually impaired person when the visually impaired person walks.
A presentation device attached to a white cane held by a visually impaired person when walking is provided.
When a dangerous situation exists as a result of the detection , the visually impaired person is alerted to the visually impaired person through the vibrating part of the presentation device, and the visually impaired person operates the input part of the presentation device. A walking assist device for the visually impaired , wherein the wearing device notifies the visually impaired of the current situation after receiving consent to obtain the notification by the wearing device. The attached device is
A detection unit including a distance measuring sensor, a positioning / orientation sensor, and a biological information sensor that detects biological information representing the heart rate of the visually impaired person.
A learning unit that acquires the past biometric information of the visually impaired person,
Using the detection result by the detection unit and the comparison result between the biometric information from the learning unit and the preset threshold value, the risk of the visually impaired person in the current situation depends on whether or not the threshold value is exceeded. A comparison judgment unit that judges the presence or absence of
When the threshold value is exceeded, the notification unit for notifying the visually impaired person of the current situation based on the judgment in the comparison determination unit that the current situation is dangerous.
The walking assist device for the visually impaired according to claim 1, wherein the walking assist device is provided. The wearing device further includes a storage unit for storing the biometric information of the visually impaired person detected by the biometric information sensor.
In determining whether or not the notification to the visually impaired person is possible, the learning unit acquires the biometric information that matches the current situation from the past biometric information stored in the storage unit. The walking assist device for the visually impaired according to claim 2, wherein the comparison determination unit performs a comparison with the threshold value. The presentation device is
The vibrating part that calls attention to the visually impaired,
An input unit used by the visually impaired person to give the consent to the wearing device, and
The walking assist device for the visually impaired according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the walking assist device is provided. When the visually impaired person walks using a walking assist device for the visually impaired, which consists of a wearing device worn by the visually impaired person and a presentation device attached to a white cane, the wearing device is always used by the visually impaired person. Steps to detect the surrounding situation and
A step in which the wearing device acquires past biological information of the visually impaired person that matches the current situation in which the visually impaired person is present.
A step in which the wearing device determines whether or not to notify the visually impaired person by using the detection result and the acquired biological information.
As a result of the judgment, when it is determined that a dangerous situation exists, a step of alerting the visually impaired person to the visually impaired person via the vibrating part of the presentation device, and a step of calling attention to the current situation.
The step of receiving the signal of consent for the alerting based on the operation of the input unit of the presentation device by the visually impaired person, and the step of receiving the wearing device .
After receiving the consent, the step of notifying the visually impaired person of the current situation by the wearing device , and
A walking assist method for the visually impaired, characterized in that it is provided with.

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