KR20110085242A - A stick using ultrasonic sensors for blind person - Google Patents

A stick using ultrasonic sensors for blind person Download PDF

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Publication number
KR20110085242A
KR20110085242A KR1020100004915A KR20100004915A KR20110085242A KR 20110085242 A KR20110085242 A KR 20110085242A KR 1020100004915 A KR1020100004915 A KR 1020100004915A KR 20100004915 A KR20100004915 A KR 20100004915A KR 20110085242 A KR20110085242 A KR 20110085242A
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KR
South Korea
Prior art keywords
ultrasonic sensor
sensor
ultrasonic
signal
unit
Prior art date
Application number
KR1020100004915A
Other languages
Korean (ko)
Inventor
문형식
Original Assignee
(주) 아이엘디자인
아이에스테크놀로지 주식회사
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Application filed by (주) 아이엘디자인, 아이에스테크놀로지 주식회사 filed Critical (주) 아이엘디자인
Priority to KR1020100004915A priority Critical patent/KR20110085242A/en
Publication of KR20110085242A publication Critical patent/KR20110085242A/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
    • A45B1/00—Sticks with supporting, hanging or carrying means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
    • A45B3/00—Sticks combined with other objects
    • A45B3/02—Sticks combined with other objects with illuminating devices
    • A45B3/04—Sticks combined with other objects with illuminating devices electrical
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
    • A45B3/00—Sticks combined with other objects
    • A45B3/08—Sticks combined with other objects with measuring or weighing appliances
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
    • A61H3/06—Walking aids for blind persons
    • A61H3/068—Sticks for blind persons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45B—WALKING STICKS; UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS
    • A45B2200/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A45B
    • A45B2200/05—Walking sticks

Abstract

The ultrasonic wand for the blind of the present invention includes a power switch; A power supply composed of a rechargeable battery and a charging connector; An ultrasonic sensor installed at a lower portion of the cane and measuring the time when sound waves hit an object and returning the measured value converted into a distance as an electronic signal; A sensor diagnosis unit for inputting a preset voltage for diagnosing an error of the ultrasonic sensor in advance and measuring whether an output voltage of the ultrasonic sensor is less than or equal to the set voltage and detecting an abnormality of the ultrasonic sensor; Alarm means for alarming that there is an obstacle in front according to the received signal of the ultrasonic sensor, and alarming the normal and error of the ultrasonic sensor according to an abnormality output signal of the ultrasonic sensor output from the sensor diagnosis unit; When the power switch is turned on, it is driven by receiving power from the power supply unit. The sensor diagnosis unit and the ultrasonic sensor are driven simultaneously to output an output signal of the presence or absence of an ultrasonic sensor from the sensor diagnosis unit, or to receive the ultrasonic sensor signal. And a controller for driving the alarm means. According to this, the presence of obstacles in front of the detection of the ultrasonic sensor can be notified to the user by sound and vibration, it is easy to identify other people at night, and the ultrasonic sensor can be diagnosed when the cane is powered up to detect the abnormality of the ultrasonic sensor. Since it detects the ultrasonic sensor error to alert the user, there is an advantage to prevent the safety accident of the visually impaired due to malfunction during use of the cane by recognizing the failure before use of the cane.

Description

Ultrasonic wand for the visually impaired {A STICK USING ULTRASONIC SENSORS FOR BLIND PERSON}

The present invention relates to a cane for the visually impaired, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic cane for the visually impaired, which can recognize the presence or absence of an obstacle in front of the sensor by sensing an ultrasonic sensor.

In general, the visually impaired are those who have hearing or tactile senses, but their eyesight to see objects is in a state where it is difficult to distinguish between light and dark, and everyone knows that the inconvenience of walking is hard to say.

Therefore, in recent years, pedestrians are provided with rugged roads separate from general roads so that the visually impaired people can walk on the sidewalks to reach their desired destinations.

However, these walking facilities for the visually impaired are extremely limited due to the cost and space limitations of the visually impaired, and the walking effect can be obtained only in a place such as a flat place without obstacles, so that the visually impaired person cannot behave like a normal person. It is a reality.

On the other hand, in recent years, the blind dogs have been trained so that they can walk safely with the visually impaired. However, these measures are also easily used by the visually impaired in consideration of the cost investment for training the blind dogs and the additional facilities for maintaining and protecting the blind dogs. There was a big disadvantage that was not realistic.

Faced with these high costs and limitations of pedestrians, the average visually impaired person can use a tool such as a readily available cane to sensibly check the road to reach the desired destination or to walk with another guardian. There is only reality.

Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention can recognize the presence of obstacles in the front by the detection of the ultrasonic sensor through the sound and vibration alarm, it is easy to identify other people at night, and to recognize in advance whether there is a failure before using the cane To provide an ultrasonic wand for the visually impaired.

Ultrasonic wand for the blind according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems, the power switch; A power supply composed of a rechargeable battery and a charging connector; An ultrasonic sensor installed at a lower portion of the cane and measuring the time when sound waves hit an object and returning the measured value converted into a distance as an electronic signal; A sensor diagnosis unit for inputting a preset voltage for diagnosing an error of the ultrasonic sensor in advance and measuring whether an output voltage of the ultrasonic sensor is less than or equal to the predetermined voltage and detecting an abnormality of the ultrasonic sensor; Alarm means for alarming that there is an obstacle in front according to the received signal of the ultrasonic sensor, and alarming the normality and error of the ultrasonic sensor according to an abnormality output signal of the ultrasonic sensor output from the sensor diagnosis unit; When the power switch is turned on (ON) is driven by receiving power from the power supply, and driving the sensor diagnostic unit and the ultrasonic sensor at the same time outputs the presence or absence output signal of the ultrasonic sensor from the sensor diagnostic unit, or And a control unit for driving the alarm means when the reception signal of the ultrasonic sensor is input.

The rechargeable battery is a lithium ion rechargeable battery, and the charging connector is installed on the grip of the wand and may be configured as a 24-pin terminal common to a mobile phone.

The alarm means is an alarm for notifying the presence or absence of obstacles in the front of the ultrasonic sensor error signal and the normal signal of the sensor diagnostic unit and the reception signal of the ultrasonic sensor, and for notifying the presence or absence of obstacles in front of the vibration of the grip unit for It may be composed of a vibration motor.

A mode selection input unit is further provided in the grip unit; The mode selection input unit includes a sensing distance selection switch for adjusting the obstacle sensing distance of the ultrasonic sensor to a remote mode and a near mode, and an alarm means selection switch for changing the alarm means to an alarm or a vibration motor.

The short range mode set by the sensing distance selection switch is within 1 meter (M), and the long distance mode may be set to 4 meters (M) or less.

When the error signal of the ultrasonic sensor is input from the sensor diagnosis unit, the controller waits for a predetermined time and determines whether a normal signal of the ultrasonic sensor is input from the sensor diagnosis unit. If no signal is input, the alarm means may be driven to stop the operation after the ultrasonic sensor error alarm is executed.

A lower portion of the grip unit may further include a light emitting LED (LED) for night identification.

According to the ultrasonic wand for the visually impaired according to the present invention, the presence or absence of obstacles in front of the front by the detection of the ultrasonic sensor can be notified to the user by sound and vibration, easy identification of other people at night, the power of the ultrasonic sensor when the wand is powered Diagnose the abnormality of the ultrasonic sensor by performing the diagnosis to alert the user of the ultrasonic sensor error, so that the user can recognize the malfunction before using the cane, and can prevent the safety accident of the visually impaired due to the malfunction during the use of the cane. It works.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic wand for the blind according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 and 3 are perspective views showing the appearance of the ultrasonic wand for the blind according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention, and how to accomplish them, will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in various different forms, only this embodiment is to make the disclosure of the present invention is complete, and having ordinary skill in the art It is provided to inform the full disclosure of the scope of the invention, and the invention is defined only by the scope of the claims.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail with respect to the ultrasonic wand for the blind according to the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic wand for the blind according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the appearance of the ultrasonic wand for the blind according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Ultrasonic wand for the visually impaired according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a pole portion 12 and the grip portion 11, the grip portion 11, the power supply unit 30, the power switch 21, the mode selection input unit 80 ), The ultrasonic sensor 40, the alarm means 60, the sensor diagnostic unit 50, the control unit 100 is configured.

The grip portion 11 is configured with a long handle 11a perpendicular to the upper portion, the pole portion 12 is extended to the upper end is coupled to the lower end of the grip portion (11).

The power supply unit 30 is composed of a rechargeable battery 31 and a charging connector 32, the rechargeable battery 31 is composed of a lithium ion rechargeable battery, the charging connector 32 is composed of a 24-pin terminal common for mobile phones.

The power switch 21 is provided at one side on the handle 11a of the grip portion 11 and is turned on and the power supply unit 30, that is, the power supply of the rechargeable battery 31, to the control unit 100 and the ultrasonic sensor 40. To be supplied.

The ultrasonic sensor 40 measures the time when the sound wave hits an object and returns a distance value signal, which is converted into a distance. The ultrasonic sensor 40 is installed below the grip part 11 of the cane 1 and driven by the controller 100. do.

The sensor diagnosis unit 50 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic sensor 40 and the control unit 100 and is driven by the control unit 100. In addition, the sensor diagnosis unit 50 inputs a preset voltage for diagnosing an error of the ultrasonic sensor 40 in advance to measure whether the output voltage of the ultrasonic sensor 40 is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage.

The alarm means 60 alerts that there is an obstacle in front of the received signal of the ultrasonic sensor 40, and normalizes the ultrasonic sensor 40 according to the output signal of the presence or absence of the ultrasonic sensor output from the sensor diagnosis unit 50. And alarm errors.

The alarm means 60 is composed of an alarm 61 and a vibration motor 62, the alarm 61 and the vibration motor 62 is configured in the grip portion 11 is driven by the controller 100 to be described later. . The alarm sound generated by the alarm 61 is output to the outside through the speaker 11a provided in the grip unit 11.

The mode selection input unit 80 includes a sensing distance selection switch 81 and an alarm means selection switch 82, and input signals of the switches 81 and 82 are input to the control unit 100.

The sensing distance selection switch 81 may change the obstacle sensing distance of the ultrasonic sensor 40 by selectively adjusting the obstacle sensing distance of the ultrasonic sensor 40 in a remote mode and a near mode. Here, in the near mode, the obstacle detection distance of the ultrasonic sensor 40 is set to within 1 meter (M), and in the far mode, the obstacle detection distance of the ultrasonic sensor 40 is set to 4 meters or less.

The light emitting LED (LED) 90 is installed at the lower part of the grip part 11, and emits light when the power switch 21 is set to ON to enable identification of others at night.

The controller 100 is electrically connected to the above-described peripheral devices, and when the power switch 21 is turned on, the control unit 100 receives power from the power supply unit 30 to provide the sensor diagnosis unit 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 40. Run simultaneously.

When the output signal of the presence or absence of the ultrasonic sensor 40 is output from the sensor diagnosis unit 50 or the reception signal of the ultrasonic sensor 40 is input, the alarm means 60 selected according to the input signal of the alarm means selection switch 82. Drive the alarm 61 or vibration motor 62;

At this time, if the signal output from the sensor diagnostic unit 50 is a normal signal, the control unit 100 controls the alarm means 60 so that one long alarm sound is output through the speaker 11a through the alarm 61. If the signal output from the sensor diagnostic unit 50 is an error signal, the alarm 61 is driven to control the alarm means 60 to output two or more short alarm sounds through the speaker 11a.

In addition, when the error signal of the ultrasonic sensor 40 is input from the sensor diagnosis unit 50, the controller 100 waits for a predetermined time and determines whether the normal signal of the ultrasonic sensor 40 is input from the sensor diagnosis unit 50. It is preset to determine, and when the normal signal is not input from the sensor diagnosis unit 50 during the waiting time, the alarm means 60 is driven to execute the ultrasonic sensor error alarm and then preset to stop the operation.

Hereinafter, the operation steps according to the use will be described in detail so that the features and advantages of the ultrasonic wand for the visually impaired according to an embodiment of the present invention are further highlighted.

When the user turns on the power switch 21 for use of the ultrasonic wand 1, the power of the power supply unit 30, that is, the rechargeable battery 31, is supplied to the control unit 100 and the ultrasonic sensor 40. . The controller 100 simultaneously drives the ultrasonic sensor 40 and the sensor diagnostic unit 50.

In this case, the sensor diagnosis unit 50 measures the output voltage of the ultrasonic sensor 40 and compares it with a preset input voltage. When the output voltage of the ultrasonic sensor 40 is less than or equal to the set voltage, the sensor diagnostic unit 50 may provide an error signal to the controller 100. If the input voltage is higher than the set voltage, the controller 100 inputs a normal signal.

The control unit 100 determines whether the signal input from the sensor diagnosis unit 50 is an error signal or a normal signal, and if the error signal is input from the sensor diagnosis unit 50, the sensor diagnosis unit waits for a predetermined time. It is continuously determined whether or not a normal signal is input from (50).

If the normal signal is not input from the sensor diagnosis unit 50 during the waiting time of the control unit 100, the control unit 100 drives the alarm 61 to generate two or more short alarm sounds of the speaker 11a of the grip unit 11. After outputting through), stop the operation.

When the normal signal is input from the sensor diagnosis unit 50 to the control unit 100, an obstacle detection process through the ultrasonic sensor 40 is executed, and at this time, the user selects the sensing distance selection switch 81 of the mode selection input unit 80. To set the sensing distance of the ultrasonic sensor 40 to the short range mode or the remote mode, and to operate the alarm means selection switch 82 to set the alarm means 60 for the obstacle detection alarm to the alarm 61 or the vibration motor ( 62) can be selected and set.

In the obstacle detection process, the ultrasonic sensor 40 propagates the ultrasonic waves forward, and if there is an obstacle in the front, the ultrasonic sensor hits the obstacle and measures the time received by the ultrasonic sensor 40 and converts the data value into a distance control unit ( 100).

In this case, the controller 100 determines whether the signal selected by the user and input from the sensing distance selection switch 81 is a short range mode or a far mode.

If the signal input from the sensing distance selection switch 81 to the control unit 100 is a short-range mode, the control unit 100 may determine whether there is an obstacle within a distance of less than 1 meter based on the data value input from the ultrasonic sensor 40. If the signal input from the sensing distance selection switch 81 is the remote mode, the controller 100 determines whether there is an obstacle within a distance of 4 meters or less.

When the controller 100 detects that there is an obstacle within a sensing distance of each mode according to the selected input short-range mode and the remote mode, the alarm means 60 selected by an operation of the alarm means selection switch 82 of the user. It is determined whether this is the alarm 61 or the vibration motor 62.

If it is determined that the alarm means 60 selected by the user is the alarm 61, the controller 100 drives the alarm 61 to output the alarm sound through the speaker 11a of the grip part 11, and by the user. If it is determined that the selected alarm means 60 is the vibration motor 62, the controller 100 drives the vibration motor 62 to cause the grip portion 11 to vibrate.

At this time, in the remote mode, the user may be notified that the user is close to the obstacle by generating an alarm sound or a vibration at different periods according to the distance to the obstacle.

On the other hand, when the power switch 21 of the cane 1 is turned on, the power supply unit 30, that is, the power of the rechargeable battery 31 is supplied to the light emitting LED 90, the light emitting LED 90 is emitted accordingly, It is easy to identify others when walking at night.

1: cane 11: grip
11a: handle 12: pole
21: power switch 30: power supply
31: rechargeable battery 32: charging connector
40: ultrasonic sensor 50: sensor diagnostic unit
60: alarm means 61: alarm
62: vibration motor 70: speaker
80: mode selection input unit 81: detection distance selection switch
82: alarm means selector switch 90: luminous LED
100:

Claims (7)

Power switch;
A power supply composed of a rechargeable battery and a charging connector;
An ultrasonic sensor installed at a lower portion of the cane and measuring the time when sound waves hit an object and returning the measured value converted into a distance as an electronic signal;
A sensor diagnosis unit for inputting a preset voltage for diagnosing an error of the ultrasonic sensor in advance and measuring whether an output voltage of the ultrasonic sensor is less than or equal to the predetermined voltage and detecting an abnormality of the ultrasonic sensor;
Alarm means for alarming that there is an obstacle in front according to the received signal of the ultrasonic sensor, and alarming the normality and error of the ultrasonic sensor according to an abnormality output signal of the ultrasonic sensor output from the sensor diagnosis unit;
When the power switch is turned on (ON) is driven by receiving power from the power supply, and driving the sensor diagnostic unit and the ultrasonic sensor at the same time outputs the presence or absence output signal of the ultrasonic sensor from the sensor diagnostic unit, or Ultrasonic wand for the blind comprising a control unit for driving the alarm means when the input signal of the ultrasonic sensor. The method of claim 1,
The rechargeable battery is a lithium ion rechargeable battery,
The charging connector is installed in the grip portion of the cane and the ultrasonic wand for the visually impaired is composed of a 24-pin (Pin) terminal common to mobile phones. The method of claim 2,
The alarm means
An alarm for notifying the presence or absence of an obstacle in front of the sensor diagnostic unit based on the ultrasonic sensor error signal and the normal signal, and the reception signal of the ultrasonic sensor, and a vibration motor for notifying the presence or absence of an obstacle in the front with the vibration of the grip unit. Ultrasound Wand. The method of claim 3,
A mode selection input unit is further provided in the grip unit;
The mode selection input unit
Detection distance selection switch for adjusting the obstacle detection distance of the ultrasonic sensor in the remote mode and the near mode, and
And an alarm means selection switch for changing the alarm means into an alarm or a vibration motor. The method of claim 4, wherein
The short range mode set by the sensing distance selection switch is within 1 meter (M), the far mode is 4 meters (M) or less ultrasonic distance stick for the visually impaired. The method of claim 5,
The control unit
When an error signal of the ultrasonic sensor is input from the sensor diagnosis unit, the controller waits for a predetermined time and determines whether the normal signal of the ultrasonic sensor is input from the sensor diagnosis unit.
Ultrasonic wand for the visually impaired, if the normal signal is not input from the sensor diagnosis unit during the waiting time to drive the alarm means to execute the ultrasonic sensor error alarm and stop the operation. The method of claim 6,
Ultrasonic wand for the visually impaired is further provided with a light emitting LED (LED) for identifying the night under the grip.
KR1020100004915A 2010-01-19 2010-01-19 A stick using ultrasonic sensors for blind person KR20110085242A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020100004915A KR20110085242A (en) 2010-01-19 2010-01-19 A stick using ultrasonic sensors for blind person

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020100004915A KR20110085242A (en) 2010-01-19 2010-01-19 A stick using ultrasonic sensors for blind person

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
KR20110085242A true KR20110085242A (en) 2011-07-27

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR200470207Y1 (en) * 2012-05-16 2013-12-06 김진호 A stick for the visually impaired
KR20210048280A (en) * 2019-10-23 2021-05-03 동서대학교 산학협력단 Walking stick for blind person
KR20220061311A (en) 2020-11-05 2022-05-13 신다영 Smart stick

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR200470207Y1 (en) * 2012-05-16 2013-12-06 김진호 A stick for the visually impaired
KR20210048280A (en) * 2019-10-23 2021-05-03 동서대학교 산학협력단 Walking stick for blind person
KR20220061311A (en) 2020-11-05 2022-05-13 신다영 Smart stick

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