KR20160144211A - Walking Assistive Method Based On Intelligent Walking Assistive Algorithm - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a walking assistive method based on an intelligent walking assistive algorithm for the visually impaired and the elderly. More specifically, the present invention relates to an algorithm-based walking assistive method which is prepared by applying an intelligent walking assistive control module to a conventional analog walking assistive apparatus used by the visually impaired and the elderly and can be interconnected with a wireless mobile communication module, and thus, the method is capable of guiding the visually impaired and the elderly to a safe route when walking, and preventing fall accidents in advance, and rapidly notifying a guardian and friends and family of accident information when a user is in an accident. According to the present invention, the walking assistive method based on an intelligent walking assistive algorithm for the visually impaired and the elderly comprises: a walking assistive device and a communication and control device. The walking assistive device comprises: a bio-signal sensing unit; an acceleration sensing unit; a sensor signal transmission/reception and power connection line; and a piezoelectric element, and the communication and control device comprises: the wireless mobile communication module; an ultrasonic transmission / reception module for acquiring obstacle information; a GPS module for location tracking; a light emitting diode button; a speaker module for recognizing user voice and outputting alarm sound; a display module for user personal information and device status confirmation; and a battery module for power supply, wherein the walking assistive device and the communication and control device are organically interconnected, and the algorithm which determines a similar situation based on the signals sent and received from each module or sensing unit is embedded.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a walking assistive method based on an intelligent walking assistant algorithm,

[0001] The present invention relates to a walking assistant method for a visually impaired person and an elderly person based on an intelligent walking aiding algorithm, and more particularly, And it has a function to interoperate with the wireless mobile communication module, so that it is possible to guide a visually handicapped person and a elderly person to a safe route when walking, or to prevent a fall accident in advance. In case of a similar situation, And a walking assist method with an algorithm that can be used.

In the case of the visually impaired, there is a way to accompany the guide dog as a means of assisting the walking. However, since the guide dog pre-sale procedure is complicated and the number of available guide dogs is limited, In addition, the elderly also use a walking aid device in the form of a walking stick as a walking aid, but in general, they use a walking aid device limited to the analogue support function. Therefore, if the information and communication technology and the ICT public infrastructure are utilized and a walking aids equipped with advanced digital technology can be developed and commercialized and universalized, the advanced welfare technology As well as the formation of a creative economy through technology commercialization.

Prior arts similar to those described above include the 'Improvement of the performance of a walking assist device for the visually impaired using ultrasonic and acceleration sensors' published in the Journal of the Korean Information Science Society; 'A Study on Situation Recognition Using Mobile Devices - White Cane' in the Journal of the Korea Computer Information Association; 'Haptic walking cane design for prevention of active fall in order to provide pedestrian stability and sense of ground condition', published in Conference Proceedings of the HCI Conference in Korea; Korea Registered in the Korean Intellectual Property Office 10-2011-0133879 (A); KR 10-2013-0086861 (A); KR 10-1193721 (B1); KR 10-1394490 (B1); KR 10-1471856 (B1); KR 10-1400828 (B1); KR 10-1390345 (B1); KR 10-1357855 (B1); KR 10-1503381 (B1). In the above-described conventional technology, various hardware reinforcing modules, biosensor modules, and user-friendly convenience function modules for enhancing an analog type supporting function are added. However, a method of assisting the rapid propagation of an accident and gait in case of similar situations such as falling, fainting and fainting by using a wireless mobile communication module and an intelligent walking control module has not been proposed.

KR 10-2011-0133879 (A) KR 10-2013-0086861 (A) KR 10-1193721 (B1) KR 10-1394490 (B1) KR 10-1471856 (B1) KR 10-1400828 (B1) KR 10-1390345 (B1) KR 10-1357855 (B1) KR 10-1503381 (B1)

"Performance Improvement of Walking Aids for the Blind Using Ultrasonic and Acceleration Sensors," Journal of the Korean Institute of Information Scientists and Engineers, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 291-297. "A Case Study on Mobile Devices - White Cane", Journal of Korea Computer Information Society, Vol. 19, No. 11, pp. 167-173. Park, Sang-Hoon, and Yoon, Jungwon, 2014, "Active Haptic Walking Block Design to Provide Pedestrian Stability and Ground Condition Sensitivity", Proceedings of the HCI Conference, pp. 25-28.

The present invention aims to satisfy the technical needs required from the background of the above-mentioned invention.

Specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent walking control module that includes an intelligent walking control module in an analog type walking aids used by existing visually impaired and elderly people and has a function of interacting with a wireless mobile communication module, The present invention provides a walking assistant method that can induce a safe route or prevent a fall accident beforehand, and can quickly spread an accident to a carer or a nearby person when a similar situation occurs.

The technical objects to be achieved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other technical subjects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. There will be.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gait assistant method for a visually impaired person and a senior citizen based on an intelligent gait assistant algorithm, An acceleration sensor unit; Sensor signal transmission / reception and power supply connection line; A walking assistant device provided with a piezoelectric element module; an intelligent walking control module; A wireless mobile communication module; An ultrasonic transmission / reception module for obtaining obstacle information; A GPS module for location tracking; Light emitting diode button; A speaker module for user speech recognition and alarm output; A display module for user personal information and device status confirmation; A power supply battery module, and a communication and control device provided with the power supply module, the power supply module includes a communication module and a control module.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the walking assistant device and the intelligent walking assistant algorithm have the function of mutual interoperation between the communication and control devices, it is possible to prevent a fall accident, There is an effect that it is possible to provide a walking assistance method capable of quickly spreading an accident to a guardian and a surrounding person when a situation occurs.

It is to be understood that the technical advantages of the present invention are not limited to the technical effects mentioned above and that other technical effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims There will be.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an apparatus capable of performing a gait assistant method for the visually impaired and the elderly based on the intelligent gait assistant algorithm according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a walking assistance method for the visually impaired and the elderly based on the intelligent walking assistance algorithm according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a walking assistance method for a visually impaired person and an aged person based on an intelligent walking assistance algorithm according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, It is not. In the following description of the present embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols, and further description thereof will be omitted.

1 and 2, the present invention is a mode in which the communication and control device 200 is coupled to the walking-assistance device 100. FIG. The walking assistant device 100 includes a living body signal sensor unit 110 and an acceleration sensor unit 120. The living body signal and the movement information are cross-sensed through the living body signal sensor unit 110 and the acceleration sensor unit 120 to detect whether a similar situation . When the center of gravity moves to the lower end due to the action of supporting the user when the user is walking, the pressure applied to the lower end portion is converted into electric energy, Signal transmission / reception and power supply connection line 12 to the communication and control device 200. In addition to determining whether a similar situation occurs due to a biological signal and an acceleration sensing signal sensed by the bio-signal sensor unit 110 and the acceleration sensor unit 120, as well as whether the intensity of the pressure sensed by the piezoelectric element 13 is irregular It can be used as a cross validation element that can determine similar situations when it is not detected for a certain period of time. And has a function of charging the battery module 11 for power supply by using the piezoelectric element 13.

The communication and control device 200 includes an intelligent walking control module 210; A wireless mobile communication module 220; An obstacle information acquisition ultrasonic transmission / reception module 230; A GPS module 240 for position tracking; A light emitting diode button 250; A speaker module 260 for user speech recognition and warning sound output; And a display module 270 for user personal information and device status confirmation. The intelligent gait control module 210 individually or synthetically analyzes the biological signal, the acceleration signal, the user voice, the obstacle information, and the geographical position information to output a warning sound for blind stability of the visually impaired and the elderly, And a data transmission to a communication module. The wireless mobile communication module 220 performs data packetization on the personal status and the device status of the visually impaired and the elderly to the mobile communication terminal of the designated guardian according to the command of the intelligent walking control module 210 And performs the function of transmitting. The obstacle information acquisition ultrasonic wave transmission / reception module 230 performs the function of confirming the presence or absence of an obstacle by emitting an ultrasonic signal in front of the walking path of the user. The GPS module for position tracking 240 performs a function of acquiring positional information such as tracking of a user's walking path. The light emitting diode button 250 indicates the state of engagement between the walking assist device 100 and the wearable device 200 and rapidly blinks when a blind person or a senior citizen presses the light emitting diode button 250 when a similar situation occurs And a warning sound is output to the speaker module 260 for outputting the user voice recognition and warning sound to request a resident to request a rescue. The speaker module 260 for user voice recognition and warning sound output recognizes voice information of the user and performs a kind of starting function for activating the walking assistant device 100 and the wearable device 200, Users can be registered and the relevant database can be stored in the intelligent gait control module 210 to manage a large number of users. The display module 270 for user's personal information and device status display serves to represent basic personal information such as name, residence, occupation information, current state, and parental contact information of the visually impaired and the aged person, Actions can be taken.

Referring to FIG. 3, the algorithm for implementing the walking assist method of the visually impaired and the elderly based on the intelligent walking assistance algorithm according to the present invention can be confirmed in detail. When the visually handicapped person and the elderly person start to walk using the walking assist device (S100), the power supply battery module 11 is activated (S200), the piezoelectric module 13 is activated (S210) The device status checking display module 270 is also activated (S220) and the user voice recognition function of the user voice recognition and alarm sound output speaker module 260 is activated (S230). If the visually impaired and the elderly who intend to use the walking aid then provide voice signals, it is confirmed whether the user is registered in step S300. If the user is a registered user, the position tracking GPS module 240 is activated in step S400, If the user is unregistered, the speaker module 260 for user voice recognition and warning sound output generates a user registration request warning sound (S310).

The ultrasonic transmission / reception module 230 for acquiring the obstacle information is also activated (S500), the function of the bio-signal sensor unit 110 is activated (S600), and the acceleration The function of the sensor unit 120 is also activated (S610). At this time, when the obstacle information acquiring ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving module 230 is activated and it is confirmed that there is an obstacle ahead of the visually impaired and the elderly person walking in the process of performing forward sensing (S510), the biosignal sensor unit 110 The user checks whether the user is conscious through the signal detection of the acceleration sensor unit 120 (S520). When it is determined that the user is conscious, a guidance sound is output to the speaker module 260 for outputting user voice recognition and warning sound to press the LED button 250 (S530) (S540) to perform the structure or help request. If it is determined that the user does not have consciousness, the speaker module 260 for user voice recognition and warning sound output automatically generates a warning sound for requesting attention and help (S540) to perform a rescue request to a nearby person.

When the functions of the bio-signal sensor unit 110 and the acceleration sensor unit 120 are activated (S600 and S610), it is checked whether the user's body condition is good (S700). If a problem is found in the user's body condition Steps S520, S530, and S540 are sequentially performed. If the user's body condition is good, the personal information and the positional information data obtained in all the previous steps are converted into data and transmitted to the intelligent walking control module 210 (S800) and transmitted to the wireless mobile communication module (S900 And transmits walking information of a visually impaired person and an elderly person to a wireless mobile communication terminal of a designated guardian (S910). (S920) to the display module 270 for confirming the user's personal information and device status, including the current health state collected in the above-described process, including the name, the residence, the infirmity information, The algorithm implementation of the walking assist method of the visually impaired and the elderly based on the intelligent walking assistance algorithm according to the invention is completed.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, will be. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined only by the appended claims.

100: a walking assist device
200; Communication and control devices

Claims (10)

In the walking assist method of the visually impaired and the elderly based on the intelligent walking assistance algorithm,
The walking assistant device 100 and the communication and control device 200 are mutually combined to form one system,
The walking assistant device 100 includes a living body signal sensor unit 110; An acceleration sensor unit 120; Sensor signal transmission / reception and power supply connection line 12; A piezoelectric element module 13 is provided,
The communication and control device 200 includes an intelligent walking control module 210; A wireless mobile communication module 220; An obstacle information acquisition ultrasonic transmission / reception module 230; A GPS module 240 for position tracking; A light emitting diode button 250; A speaker module 260 for user speech recognition and warning sound output; Display module 270 for user personal information and device status confirmation; And a battery module (11) for power supply. The walking assist method of the visually impaired and the elderly based on the intelligent assistant walking algorithm. The method according to claim 1,
The bio-signal sensor unit 110 and the acceleration sensor unit 120 provided in the walking-assistance device 100 cross-detect the bio-signals and movement information of the visually impaired and the elderly to determine whether or not a similar situation occurs to the visually impaired and the elderly Wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a walking assistance function for the visually impaired and the elderly; The method according to claim 1,
The piezoelectric element module 13 provided at the lower end of the walking assist device 100 converts the pressure generated as the center of gravity moves to the lower end of the walking assist device 100 when the user is walking, The power is supplied to the communication and control device 200 via the battery module 11 for power supply or through the sensor signal transmission / reception and power supply connection line 12, and the intensity of the pressure sensed by the piezoelectric element 13 is Wherein the method is used as a cross validation element that can detect a similar situation when it is not detected irregularly or for a predetermined period of time. The method according to claim 1,
The intelligent gait control module 210 analyzes the bio signal, the acceleration signal, the user voice, the obstacle information, and the geographical position information to output a warning sound for securing the walking stability of the visually impaired and the elderly, Wherein the algorithm is a kind of computer arithmetic and control device having an algorithm for carrying out a task such as forwarding, forwarding, etc. The walking assist method of the visually impaired and the elderly based on the intelligent gait assistant algorithm. The method according to claim 1,
The wireless mobile communication module 220 has a function of data packetizing and transmitting information such as personal status and device status of the visually impaired and the elderly to the mobile communication terminal of the designated guardian according to the command of the intelligent walking control module 210 A walking assistant method for the visually impaired and the elderly based on the intelligent walking assistance algorithm. The method according to claim 1,
The ultrasonic transmission / reception module 230 for acquiring obstacle information functions to confirm presence / absence of an obstacle by emitting an ultrasonic signal in front of the user's walking path, and the GPS module for position tracking 240 detects a position A walking assist method for the visually impaired and the elderly based on the intelligent walking assistant algorithm characterized in that information can be acquired. The method according to claim 1,
The light emitting diode button 250 indicates the state of engagement between the walking assist device 100 and the communication and control device 200 and the light emitting diode button 250 is pressed rapidly when a visually impaired person or a senior citizen presses the light emitting diode button 250 And a warning sound is output to the speaker module 260 for outputting the user voice recognition and warning sound at the same time that the resident can perform the rescue request. The method according to claim 1,
The speaker module 260 for user voice recognition and alarm output recognizes voice information of the user and performs a role of activating the functions of the walking assistant device 100 and the communication and control device 200, Wherein a plurality of users are registered and the related database is stored in the intelligent gait control module 210, so that management of a plurality of users is possible, and a walking assistant method for the visually impaired and the elderly based on the intelligent gait assistant algorithm. The method according to claim 1,
The user personal information and device status display module 270 serves to represent user's personal information such as the name of the visually impaired and the elderly, A method of walking assistant for the visually impaired and the elderly based on the intelligent walking assistance algorithm, In the walking assist method of the visually impaired and the elderly based on the intelligent walking assistance algorithm,
A step (S100) in which the blind and the elderly start walking using the walking aid;
A step S200 of activating the power supply battery module 11;
The step S210 of activating the piezoelectric element module 13 when the step S200 is completed;
When the step S200 is completed, a step S220 of activating the display module 270 for checking the user's personal information and device status is performed.
When the step S200 is completed, the user voice recognition function of the user voice recognition and alarm sound output speaker module 260 is activated (S230);
When the step S230 is completed, a step S300 of confirming whether the visually impaired person and the elderly person who intends to use the walking aid device have already registered the voice signal, if the voice signal is provided;
If the user is registered in step S300, activating the function of the GPS module for location tracking (S400) to prepare for obtaining route information (S400);
If the user is not registered in step S300, a user registration request beep sound is generated in the speaker module 260 for outputting user voice recognition and warning sound (S310);
When the step S400 is completed, a step S500 of activating the obstacle information acquiring ultrasonic transmission / reception module 230 is performed.
When the step S500 is completed, the obstacle information acquisition ultrasonic wave transmission / reception module 230 senses the front of the obstacle information and confirms that there is an obstacle ahead of the blind and the elderly in walking (S510);
In operation S520, if there is an obstacle ahead of the visually impaired person and the elderly person, it is checked whether there is a consciousness of the user through the signal detection of the bio-signal sensor unit 110 and the acceleration sensor unit (S520).
When the step S400 is completed, the bio-signal sensor 110 is activated (S600).
The step of activating the acceleration sensor unit 120 when the step S400 is completed (S610);
If it is determined in step S520 that the user is conscious, a step S530 of outputting a guidance sound to depress the light emitting diode button 250 in the speaker module 260 for outputting user voice recognition and warning sound;
In operation S540, when the light emitting diode button 250 is pressed, a warning buzzer is generated (S540).
If it is determined in step S520 that the user is unconscious, a step S540 of automatically generating a caution and assistance request alarm sound in the user voice recognition and alarm sound output speaker module 260 is performed;
When the steps S600 and S610 are completed, it is checked whether the user's body condition is good (S700).
If the physical condition of the user is good in step S700, the personal information and the positional information data obtained in all previous steps are converted into data and transmitted to the intelligent gait control module 210 (S800).
Transmitting the data transmitted in step S800 to the wireless mobile communication module (S900);
When the step S900 is completed, step (S910) of transmitting walking information of the blind and the visually impaired to the wireless mobile communication terminal of the designated protector;
And transmitting the walking information of the visually impaired and the elderly person transmitted in step S910 to the display module 270 for confirming the user's personal information and the device status (S920). The intelligent walking assistant algorithm A method of walking assistance for the visually impaired and the elderly.

Images