JPH03231668A - Apparatus for guiding visually handicapped person - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a visually handicapped person distinguish easily a safe region and a dangerous region by providing the title apparatus wherein a detecting part inputting a magnetic detecting signal based on a magnetic sensor and an information- outputting part are provided and the detecting part contains two or more voltage comparators which detects an output voltage of the magnetic sensor exceeding a voltage and generates a signal output. CONSTITUTION:Permeability of a magnetic body of a walk-guiding block GB forming a magnetic guiding path is set low and permeability of a magnetic body of an alarm block AB is set high. Detection output of a magnetic sensor 1 build in the apex of e.g. a stick a visually handicapped person M has is input in a detecting part 2 as a voltage output through an inpedance-transforming part 5. The detecting part 2 consists of voltage comparators 2a and 2b and a set value of the reference voltage is smaller than the output voltage detected by the walk-guiding block GB in the voltage comparator 2a and is smaller than the output voltage detected by the alarm- guiding block AB in the voltage comparator 2b but is larger than the detecting output of the walk-guiding block GB. An information transforming parts 3a and 3b of an information output part 3 transform an electric signal from the voltage comparators 2a and 2b input through timers 6a and 6b into a perceivable information such as voice or vibration, which is transmitted to the visually handicapped person.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a visually impaired person guiding device used for guiding visually impaired people to walk.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Magnetic guidance systems are known as a method for safely guiding visually impaired people when they walk on roads.

This system places magnetic markers such as ferrite blocks on the road, and equips the walking sticks or shoes of visually impaired people with magnetic sensors to follow the visually impaired person's walking.
This method uses a magnetic sensor to detect the presence or absence of magnetic signs on the road, and provides guidance while tracking the direction in which the magnetic signs are installed.

When using this system, there are no irregularities on the road surface unlike when conventional blocks (braille blocks) for visually impaired people are placed on the road for guidance, and the road surface is flat like normal road blocks. This enables various practical developments, such as converting magnetic sensing signals into audio and conveying necessary information to visually impaired people through audio signals.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, when using the conventional magnetic guidance method, unlike a so-called Braille block that allows the guide path to be followed by the touch of the foot, visually impaired people who walk along the magnetic guide path A magnetic sensor built into a walking stick or shoe traces a magnetic block in the guide path, and an ON signal is generated when the block is in contact with or near the magnetic sensor, and an OFF signal is generated when the block comes off the magnetic block. Since the system only detects street signals, distinguishes them, and walks relying on ON signals, it is not sufficient information for visually impaired people to walk safely.

On general roads, there are not only continuous safe walking paths, but also the distinction between roadways and sidewalks, intersections, crosswalks, two steps, one staircase, and other dangerous areas scattered throughout the area. There is a high risk of accidents such as falling or falling. This applies not only to general roads, but also to railway platforms and inside buildings. It is not possible to identify these dangerous places or places where caution is required when walking simply by outputting ON and OFF signals from the magnetic sensor.

For this reason, the anxiety and stress that visually impaired people experience is extremely high.

To solve the above problem, for example, the information generated when a magnetic sensor detects an area that a visually impaired person can normally safely pass through and an area that is dangerous or requires caution when walking can be made different. This will allow you to easily distinguish between the two areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a visually impaired person guidance device that detects magnetic signs that are used for safe areas, dangerous areas, etc. on walking paths, and outputs information unique to each area as well as the presence or absence of signs. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, in the visually impaired person guidance device according to the present invention, a magnetic material for detecting the presence or absence of a magnetic material arranged along the guideway and the magnetic properties of the magnetic material is provided. A visually impaired person guidance device equipped with a sensor, including at least one magnetic sensor, a detection section that inputs a magnetic detection signal from the magnetic sensor, and at least three different types of information using an output signal of the detection section as an input signal. and an information output unit that outputs as
The detection section includes two or more voltage comparators that detect output voltages of the magnetic sensors each exceeding a predetermined reference voltage and generate signal outputs of at least two or more levels, and the information output section includes the detection section. It includes two or more information converters that convert the signals output from each voltage comparator into information that can be sensed by the human body. It is something that occurs externally.

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

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a guideway to which the visually impaired person guide device of the present invention is applied.

The figure shows an arrangement of walking guide blocks GB made of magnetic material such as ferrite laid on a general road. This array of blocks GB is usually laid out continuously along the direction of travel on the road, and visually impaired people can identify the blocks CB using magnetic sensors attached to their walking sticks or the soles of their shoes. By detecting and following the direction, you can walk toward your destination. AB is a warning block made of magnetic material laid at a specific location corresponding to an area that is dangerous for visually impaired people or an area that requires particular caution when walking on a normal walking path formed by the arrangement of the magnetic walking guide blocks GB. It is.

In the case of this embodiment, the walking guide block CB and the warning block AB are arranged in series to form a magnetic guide path, and although there is no particular distinction in form, their magnetic characteristics are different. That is, the magnetic permeability or magnetization of the magnetic material of the walking guide block CB is set to be low, and the magnetic permeability or magnetization of the magnetic material of the warning block AB is set to be relatively high. However, the warning blocks AB are not limited to the case where they are combined in the arrangement of the walking guidance blocks CB, and are arranged separately from the regular walking path formed by the arrangement of the walking guidance blocks, for example, in a no-trespassing zone. It may also be an embodiment in which it forms.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a visually impaired person guiding device according to the present invention. The device of the present invention basically includes a magnetic sensor 1, a detection section 2 that detects a magnetic detection signal from the magnetic sensor 1, and a signal output obtained by the detection section 2 that converts the signal output obtained by the detection section 2 into walking information such as sound or vibration to prevent visual impairment. and an information output section 3 for transmitting information to person M.

The magnetic sensor 1 is incorporated into a part of an article owned by the visually impaired person M, such as the tip of a cane, or the sole of a shoe worn. Although the type of sensor does not matter, in the embodiment, it is used to detect changes in an alternating current magnetic field. A known magnetic sensor consisting of a single coil that reads . In this type of magnetic sensor 1, an alternating current magnetic field generated in a coil is disturbed by the presence of a magnetic material (ferrite), resulting in a change in output voltage and a detection output. Reference numeral 4 indicates a transmitter that applies an alternating current to the coil of the magnetic sensor 1.

The detection output of the magnetic sensor 1 is input to the detection section 2 as a voltage output via the impedance conversion section 5.

The detection unit 2 includes a first voltage comparator 2a and a second voltage comparator 2.
b, and different reference voltage values are set for each. The first voltage comparator 2a is for detecting, for example, a magnetic body with a small magnetic permeability μ (walking guidance block), and the second voltage comparator 2b is for detecting a magnetic body with a large magnetic permeability μ (warning block). It is for detection. Both circuits have the function of turning on when there is an input exceeding the base I$ voltage value. The detection signal of the magnetic body is converted into a voltage value, and in the present invention, each reference voltage value is determined according to the value of the output voltage detected by the walking guide block GB and the value of the output voltage detected by the warning block AB. ing. That is, the set value of the reference voltage of the first voltage comparator 2a is smaller than the output voltage detected by the walking guidance block CB, and the set value of the reference voltage of the first voltage comparator 2a is
The setting value of the reference voltage b is smaller than the output voltage value detected by the warning block AB, but is set larger than the detection output of the walking guide block GB. Therefore, when the magnetic sensor 1 properly detects the walking guide block GB, only the first voltage comparator 2a is turned on, and its signal is output to the next stage. On the other hand, when the magnetic sensor l detects the warning block AB with high magnetic permeability, both the first voltage comparator 2a and the second voltage comparator 2b are turned on, but in the present invention, the second voltage comparator 2b is turned on. A circuit is configured to issue a reset signal to the first voltage comparator 2a to stop the output from the first voltage comparator 2a when the voltage comparator 2b is turned on.

Therefore, when the warning block AB, which is a magnetic material with high magnetic permeability, is detected, it is output from the second voltage comparator 2b to the next stage. Each voltage comparator 2a of the detection unit 2
, 2b are connected to timers 6a and 6b. The timers 6a and 6b have a function of converting the signal emitted from the detection section 2 into a duration that can be judged by humans even if the duration of the signal is short.

An information output section 3 is connected to the subsequent stage of the timers 6a and 6b.

The information output section 3 connects the first voltage comparator 2a and the second voltage comparator 2a of the detection section 2.
The first voltage comparator 2b provided corresponding to the voltage comparator 2b of
It consists of an information converter 3a and a second information converter 3b.

Each of the information converters 3a, 3b converts the electrical signals from the first voltage comparator 2a and the second voltage comparator 2b inputted through the timers 6a, 6b into audio signals, auditory sensations such as vibrations, and tactile sensations. It has the function of converting information into perceivable information and transmitting it to visually impaired people.

In the present invention, the first information converter 3a and the second information converter 3b transmit walking information to the visually impaired person M using different transmission means. For example, the first information converter 3a outputs vibrations, and the second information converter 3b outputs audio. Therefore, when vibrations are transmitted through a cane or shoes, it is safety information indicating that the pedestrian is walking on a regular pedestrian path, and when sound is emitted from earphones, it is clearly indicated as a danger area or warning information that trespassing is prohibited. It is a distinction. Of course, the two can also be distinguished by differences in the pitch and vibration frequency of the sounds.

The difference in magnetic properties of the magnetic materials used for the walking guide block GB and the warning block AB can be selected by the content rate and material of the magnetic material constituting the respective block bodies.

For example, when a walking guide block is made of Ferrite I, a magnetic material (ferrite) with a magnetic permeability of 85% by weight and a magnetic permeability of 7.0, and a warning block is made of a ferrite sintered body and a magnetic material (ferrite) with a magnetic permeability of 1010. Both types can be clearly distinguished from each other based on their detection sensitivity using the same magnetic sensor. FIG. 3 shows a comparison of the magnetic sensitivities of the walking guide block GB and the warning block AB. Figure 3 shows the sensor facing the block at relative angles of 90° and 45°, and the distance between the sensor and the block surface being 5.
This is an example in which the measurement was performed by changing the distance from mm to 15 mm. The magnetic sensor used is a known one having one coil. That is, the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil is disturbed by the presence of the ferrite, and this disturbance of the magnetic field is measured by changing the output of the coil.

As is clear from Figure 3, a sensitivity of 350 mV to 70 mV is obtained at a distance between the sensor and the block of 5 to 15 mm at a relative angle of 90'' for the walking guidance block, and a sensitivity of 90 mV for the warning block. When the relationship angle is 750°, the distance between the sensor and the block is 5-15°.
A sensitivity of mV to 220 mV is obtained, and the sensitivity at a relative angle of 45'' is 530 mV to 130 mV. Therefore, an appropriate value (for example, 380 mV) that exceeds the maximum sensitivity of the gait guidance block is set as the reference value. The two can be clearly distinguished.

The present invention obtains three types of walking information: the presence or absence of information generation, information from a magnetic material with low magnetic permeability, and information from a magnetic material with high magnetic permeability. If three or more types of voltage comparators each having a different set value of the base voltage are incorporated in the detection section and the information output is extracted from each voltage comparator, three or more types of walking information can be obtained.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the visually impaired person's walking guide path, which is formed using at least two types of magnetic materials with different magnetic properties, allows the visually impaired person, including his cane and shoes, to At least three types of signal output can be obtained from the magnetic sensor built into the product, wearable item, etc., and each signal output can be used for safety guidance signals, danger signals, no-trespassing signals, and other information necessary for walking. , which allows visually impaired people to walk safely while determining the presence or absence of a guideway or dangerous area according to the meaning of each piece of information, and has the effect of reducing stress and anxiety while walking. It is.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a plan view showing an example of construction of a guide path for visually impaired people, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a sensitivity comparison between a walking guide block and a warning block.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A visually impaired person guidance device equipped with a magnetic sensor that detects the presence or absence of a magnetic body arranged along a taxiway and the magnetic properties of the magnetic body, the system comprising at least one magnetic sensor and a magnetic sensor. It has a detection section that inputs a magnetic detection signal, and an information output section that uses the output signal of the detection section as an input signal and outputs at least three different types of information. The information output section includes two or more voltage comparators that detect the output voltage of the magnetic sensor and generate signal outputs of at least two or more levels, and the information output section receives the signals output from each voltage comparator of the detection section, respectively. It is characterized by including two or more information conversion units that convert into information that can be sensed by the human body, and generating externally specific information according to the magnitude of the detection signal level as well as the presence or absence of signal output from the magnetic sensor. Visually impaired person guidance device.