KR100683018B1 - Device of direction guidance for a blind person - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a direction guide device, and more particularly, to facilitate the sharing of mutually recognized location information among the visually impaired, and to guide the visually impaired without losing the direction even when rotated in various directions during the movement. It relates to a direction guide device.

The present invention provides a direction sensing unit 10 for generating a direction coordinate signal in which the visually impaired person is located in the coordinates of the X and Y axes, and an amplifier for amplifying the direction coordinate signal input through the direction sensing unit 10 ( 30), an A / D converter 40 for converting an amplified direction coordinate signal, which is an analog signal input from the amplifier 30, into a digital signal, and where the visually impaired person recognizes the magnetic north direction. The magnetic north direction signal indicating the magnetic north direction is generated by using the direction guide unit 50 to guide the power source, the power supply unit 60 supplying power, and the direction coordinate signal input from the A / D converter 40. After that, the controller 70 is configured to control the output to the direction guide unit 50.

Visually impaired, direction, magnetic north, guidance, vibration motor

Description

Device of direction guidance for a blind person}             

1 is a schematic block diagram showing a direction guide device for the visually impaired of the present invention,

Figure 2 is a wearing state wearing the direction guide device for the visually impaired of the present invention,

3 is a view showing a cylindrical elastic band provided in the direction guide device for the visually impaired of the present invention,

4 is a diagram showing a peripheral map of a place where a visually impaired person resides,

5 is a view showing that the main body and the direction guide portion constituting the direction guide device for the visually impaired is integrally mounted to the hat.

<Code Description of Main Parts of Drawing>

10: direction detecting unit 20: multiplexer

30: amplifier 40: A / D converter

50: direction guide 51: vibration motor

51a: reference vibration motor 51b: direction indication vibration motor

52: multiplexer for magnetic north defense 60: power supply

70: control unit 80: signal generator

90: booster 100: elastic band

110: reference piece 200a, 200b: main body

300: residence 400: hat

410: hat visor

The present invention relates to a direction guide device, and more particularly, to facilitate the sharing of mutually recognized location information among the visually impaired, and to guide the visually impaired without losing the direction even when rotated in various directions during the movement. It relates to a direction guide device.

In general, since the human body is a life of visual superiority, various researches on artificial eyes have been conducted because visual impairment is very limited in activity compared with other sensory deficits.

For example, the research paper published by Shepherd [G.M. Shepherd, Neurobiology, 3rd Ed, New York, Oxford University Press, 1994], the types of information provided by vision include the presence or absence of light, shape discrimination, motion recognition, distance recognition through binocular vision, polarization recognition, and color vision. Etc. Here, the human body has all the functions except for the polarization recognition and obtains information about the surrounding environment through the visual function.

In addition, in the type of visual information, the presence or absence of light can be recognized using a single photoreceptor. However, the rest can be recognized only by using a two-dimensional array of photoreceptors. In particular, in the case of distance recognition, stereoscopic vision is required through binocular vision, and the human body's vision is a three-dimensional sensation because it can recognize stereoscopic objects rather than planes.

Therefore, the ability to recognize movement is so advanced that it has not only simple 3D information but also 4D cognitive ability. Therefore, in the case of the visually impaired, such visual information is lost, beyond the level of inconvenience to daily life, it is impossible to survive without the help of people around you.

As one method of visual aid to solve the above-mentioned problems, the vision enhancement method published by Fonda [G.E. Fonda, Management of low vision, New York, Thieme-Stratton, 1981], in the case of amblyopia, acquire an image using a CCD and then provide an enlarged, brightness-adjusted image using the display in front of the eyes, but this is completely blind. In this case, there is a problem that is not applicable.

As part of solving this, there is a method of using an alternative sense. Obstacle detection aids for the visually impaired (10-1999-0021050) published in the Korean Laid-open Patent Publication provides an alarm for the visually impaired by using an alarm means when an obstacle is detected from the front by an ultrasonic signal that is oscillated. have.

However, the conventional obstacle detection aid for the visually impaired has a problem of not only providing a direction for the visually impaired but also providing a warning to the visually impaired in the presence or absence of an obstacle in front of the visually impaired.

It is not easy to share location information acquired by the person who is visually impaired. In other words, when explaining the location information that they know, they do not describe the location information based on the absolute reference point (magnetic north) but describe the location information based on the relative reference point (movement direction of the visually impaired). In the case of location information, the location information sharer may lose direction when explaining using a reference point relative to the location information sharer (visually handicapped person) who wants to share the location information.

Moreover, the recognition of the location information of the visually impaired (eg, acquiring the location of the alleys around the house) is acquired by repeated movements for a certain period of time through the help of a guide. You must memorize the distance and direction to the location and move alone. In this case, since the direction of moving to the memorized location information is also described using a relative reference point, the visually impaired person may lose direction while moving to the location information.

In addition, when the visually impaired person moves from the north direction to the southeast direction (135 ° rotation centered around the magnetic north direction), the visually impaired person cannot accurately recognize the rotation in the southeast direction, as well as the southeast direction currently moving. We do not know whether we are moving correctly.

 The present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a means for guiding the correct direction of movement to the visually impaired people on the move to provide a sharer with accurate location information based on the absolute reference point (magnetic north) To provide a direction guide device for the visually impaired.

Another object of the present invention is to rotate in various directions during movement to a specific position by guiding the correct direction based on the absolute reference point (magnetic north) every 0.2 seconds when the visually impaired person wants to move to a specific location memorized distance and direction Even if it is possible to continue to recognize the rotated direction is to provide a direction guide device for the visually impaired so as not to lose the direction.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the configuration and operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing a direction guide device for the visually impaired of the present invention, Figure 2 is a state diagram wearing a direction guide device for the visually impaired of the present invention, Figure 3 is a direction for the visually impaired of the present invention Figure is a view showing a cylindrical elastic band provided in the guide device.

As shown, the direction guide device for the visually impaired is installed in the direction of movement of the visually impaired direction detection unit for generating a direction coordinate signal indicating the location of the visually impaired in the coordinates of the X-axis and Y-axis ( 10), an amplifier 30 for amplifying the direction coordinate signal input through the direction sensing unit 10, and A / for converting the amplified direction coordinate signal, which is an analog signal input from the amplifier 30, into a digital signal. D conversion unit 40, the direction guide unit 50 for guiding the visually impaired to recognize the magnetic north direction in the place where the visually impaired, the power supply unit 60 for supplying power, and the A / D conversion The magnetic field value of the direction coordinate signal consisting of the X-axis direction signal and the Y-axis direction coordinate signal input from the unit 40 is analyzed by vector, the magnetic north direction is measured based on the vector analyzed value, and the measured magnetic north direction is measured. To The controller 70 is configured to control the magnetic north bearing signal to be output to the direction guide unit 50.

The direction detecting unit 10 preferably uses a magnetoresistive bridge device having a fast response speed and low hysteresis as a magnetic sensing sensor.

When the magnetic arrangement of the direction detecting unit 10 changes its magnetic arrangement by an external magnetic field, the corrected orientation can be measured only by restoring the changed magnetic arrangement to its original magnetic arrangement. To this end, a signal generator 80 for generating a set / reset signal (hereinafter referred to as an S / R signal) for restoring the changed magnetic array to the original magnetic array is disposed at one end of the direction detecting unit 10.

Here, the S / R signal is inverted about 2.5V as a positive current or a negative current flows on the line of the S / R signal, and the positive current and negative are inverted around the 2.5V. Since the difference between the current and the intensity of the magnetic is proportional, the changed magnetic arrangement of the direction detecting unit 10 is restored to the original magnetic arrangement.

In addition, the S / R signal requires 20V power to restore the changed magnetic arrangement of the direction detecting unit 10 to the original state. Since the power supplied from the power supply unit 60 is 5V, the booster 90 boosts 5V to 20V. ) Is included.

The direction guide part 50 is mounted inside the cylindrical elastic band 100, and the number of the vibration motors is one reference vibration motor 51a and 23 azimuth indication vibrations located in the moving direction of the visually impaired. The motor 51b is connected to the vibration motor unit 51 disposed at equal intervals of 15 ° in the cylindrical elastic band and the 24 vibration motors disposed in the vibration motor unit 51, and the control unit ( And a magnetic north direction selection multiplexer 52 for inputting the magnetic north direction signal to the corresponding vibration motor indicating the magnetic north direction among the plurality of vibration motors by the magnetic north direction signal inputted from 70).

Here, the elastic band 100 corresponding to the reference vibration motor 51a mounted in a position corresponding to the front (front of the head) of the 24 vibration motors mounted inside the elastic band 100 in the moving direction of the physically handicapped. On the outside of the reference piece (fiber material) 110 having a predetermined thickness is attached. In addition, the reference vibration motor 51a is azimuth is set to 0 ° and the other 23 vibration motors are displayed in all directions at intervals of 15 ° azimuth display vibration motor 51b.

In addition, the direction sensing unit 10 and the amplifier 30 are alternately inputted when the X-axis direction coordinate signal and the Y-axis direction coordinate signal, which are the direction coordinate signals output from the direction sensing unit 10, are input to the amplifier 30. ) Includes a multiplexer 20.

The amplifier 30 is an instrumentation amplifier for driving a bridge circuit, and provides an electrical signal proportional to a magnetic field as a differential output.

Reference numeral 200a is a main body on which the remaining configuration is mounted except for the direction guide unit 50 of the direction guide device for the visually impaired.

When the visually impaired person wants to receive the direction guide by using the direction guide device for the visually impaired, the elastic band 100 and the main body 200a constituting the direction guide device for the visually impaired should be worn on the body. do.

First, in the case of the elastic band 100 is worn on the head (brow) of the visually impaired, the reference piece 110 attached to the elastic band 100 is located in the center of the moving direction of the visually impaired, that is, the forehead Wear it if possible. The main body 200a is worn on the abdomen of the visually impaired, and the main body 200a is worn in the same direction as that of the elastic band 100 so that the main body 200a is positioned in the moving direction of the visually impaired person.

As such, the direction detecting unit 10 provided in the main body 200a worn on the abdomen of the visually impaired when the elastic band 100 and the main body 200a are worn on the body and then the power is applied to the main body 200a. ) Detects a position coordinate signal, which is magnetic energy represented by planar coordinates on the X and Y axes, using an electromagnetic induction phenomenon under the control of the controller 70.

The detected direction coordinate signal is input to the multiplexer 20 and output to the amplifier 30. At this time, the direction coordinate signal is composed of an X-axis direction signal and a Y-axis direction coordinate signal, so that the multiplexer 20 is an X-axis direction coordinate signal. And Y-axis direction coordinate signals are alternately output.

The amplifier 30 amplifies the input direction coordinate signal three times and outputs it to the A / D converter 40.

The A / D converter 40 converts the magnetic field strength of the input direction signal, which is an analog signal, into a 12-bit digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the controller 70.

The controller 70 performs a vector analysis on the magnetic field value of the direction coordinate signal composed of the input X axis direction signal and the Y axis direction coordinate signal, and measures the magnetic north direction based on the vector analyzed value.

Subsequently, the magnetic vibration direction corresponds to the magnetic north direction among 24 vibration motors including the reference vibration motor 51a and the direction indication vibration motor 51b disposed at equal intervals of 15 ° in the elastic band 100 with reference to the measured magnetic north direction. A magnetic north direction signal for controlling a signal to be output to any one vibration motor is generated and input to the magnetic north direction multiplexer 52.

The multiplexer 52 for magnetic north direction selection outputs the magnetic north direction signal to the corresponding vibration motor indicating magnetic north direction among 24 vibration motors connected by conducting lines with reference to the magnetic north direction signal. do.

At this time, since the moving direction of the reference piece 110 of the elastic band 100 worn on the head is the same as the moving direction of the visually impaired, the visually impaired person can move while recognizing the moving progress direction in which they are moving. For example, when the vibration motor 51b with the magnetic north bearing signal input is vibrated in the clockwise direction with respect to the reference vibration motor 51a, the oscillated ninth azimuth vibration vibration 51b. ) Is a vibration motor that points to the magnetic north direction, and the visually impaired person can know that the direction in which he moves is southwest.

A series of processes from the above-described direction coordinate signal detection to the magnetic north direction indication of the vibration motor are performed at 0.2 second intervals.

Figure 4 is an embodiment of the present invention, a view showing a peripheral map of the place where the blind people live.

Referring to FIG. 4, the distance (the moving section, indicated by A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, which is a moving route A) from the residence 300 to the subway and magnetic north which are absolute reference points When the visually impaired person memorizing the direction based on the exit 300 to move from the residence (300) to the subway, the direction of the visually impaired is the south of the reference piece of a plurality of vibration motors mounted on the elastic band (100) Based on the reference vibration motor 51a corresponding to 110, the 12th azimuth indication vibration motor 51b is vibrated in a clockwise direction to notify the magnetic north direction, so that the visually impaired person recognizes that the forward direction is south.

Thereafter, with reference to the memorized direction, the vehicle moves to the moving section [A-1], which is a memorized distance, moving eastward according to the magnetic north reference direction recognized by the vibration of the 12th azimuth display vibration motor 51b. At this time, the vibration motor pointing in the magnetic north direction is the 18th azimuth display vibration motor 51b. In addition, since the vibration motor for guiding the magnetic north direction is vibrated at 0.2 second intervals, the visually impaired person can move while correctly recognizing the east direction to go without departing from the other direction.

The visually impaired person moves to the [A-1] moving section and refers to the memorized direction, which is a distance memorized to the south according to the magnetic north direction reference recognized by the vibration of the 18th azimuth display vibration motor 51b. -2] It moves to the moving section, and then the sections [A-3] and [A-4] which are the moving sections are repeatedly moved in the same process as the above-described process.

In addition, the neighboring road (alley road) of the residence 300 where the visually impaired person is not only a road having a direction rotation of 90 °, which is the above-described movement route A, but also a movement route from the residence 300 to the market (B). Vibration motor mounted inside the elastic band 100 is 15 ° even when there is a road that needs to be rotated 330 ° from north to southeast, such as when moving from [B-2] to [B-3]. Since they are arranged at intervals, the visually impaired person can be rotated in the correct direction without departing from the other direction by being guided by the exact direction of movement based on the magnetic north direction.

5 is a view showing that the main body and the direction guide portion constituting the direction guide device for the visually impaired is integrally mounted to the hat.

Referring to Figure 5, the direction guide device for the visually impaired of the present invention can be used integrally attached to the hat 400 for easy wearing.

That is, the main body 200b including the direction detecting unit 10, the amplifier 30, the A / D conversion unit 40, the power supply unit 60, and the control unit 70 is attached to the front center of the hat 400. The direction guide part 50 is attached to the lower part of the attached main body 200b.

At this time, one of the reference vibration motor 51a, which is the vibration motor unit 51 constituting the direction guide part 50, and the reference vibration motor 51a, among the 23 azimuth indication vibration motors 51b, is a moving direction of the visually impaired. Located in the center of the front of the cap 400, is disposed at intervals of 15 ° along the circumference of the cap. In addition, the cap 400 is not attached to the above-mentioned reference piece 110, because it performs the function of the hat visor reference piece 110.

In addition, the main body constituting the direction guide device for the visually impaired of the present invention can be attached to the electric wheelchair.

As described above, the present invention has an effect of facilitating the sharing of location information among the visually impaired by providing the location information to be shared based on the magnetic north direction.

In addition, when the visually impaired person moves to a location memorized distance and direction, the user guides the correct direction with respect to the absolute reference point (magnetic north) every 0.2 seconds. There is also an effect that can be recognized continuously so that the direction is not lost.

Claims (8)

A direction detecting unit 10 which is installed in the moving direction of the visually impaired and generates a direction coordinate signal indicating a location of the visually impaired by the coordinates of the X-axis and the Y-axis; An amplifier 30 for amplifying the direction coordinate signal input through the direction detecting unit 10; An A / D converter 40 for converting an amplified direction coordinate signal, which is an analog signal input from the amplifier 30, into a digital signal; A direction guide unit 50 for guiding the blind person to recognize the magnetic north direction where the blind person is located, A power supply unit 60 for supplying power, And a controller 70 for generating a magnetic north bearing signal indicating a magnetic north direction by using the direction coordinate signal input from the A / D converter 40 and outputting the magnetic north direction signal to the direction guide unit 50; The direction guide part 50 is mounted inside the cylindrical elastic band, the vibration motor unit 51 is a plurality of vibration motors are arranged at equal intervals, The magnetic north direction signal is input to a corresponding vibration motor connected to a plurality of vibration motors disposed in the vibration motor unit 51 and pointing to the magnetic north direction among the plurality of vibration motors by a magnetic north direction signal input from the controller 70. A magnetic north direction multiplexer 52 is provided, and the number of the vibration motors is composed of one reference vibration motor 51a and 23 azimuth indication vibration motors 51b positioned in the moving direction of the visually impaired. Directional guide device for the visually impaired, characterized in that it is disposed at an interval of 15 ° inside the elastic band of the cylindrical. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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