RU130841U1 - VISIBILITY INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for informing and orienting the visually impaired, which contains stationary radio informants (SR) installed on stationary objects, each of which includes a first radio antenna, a first unit for storing a compressed audio file, a first unit for generating and storing a digital data packet, and operating at a frequency and the first transceiver connected to the first radio antenna also includes in series the first information processing and storage unit, the first form device the orientation signal and the first device for reproducing the orientation signal, the output of the first transceiver being connected to the input of the first information processing and storage unit, and all blocks and CP devices connected to the first control unit and the first power supply unit, also containing transport radio information installed on vehicles (TP), each of which includes a second radio antenna, connected in series to the second storage unit of the compressed audio file, a second unit for generating and storing a digital data packet, and operating at a frequency f and a second transceiver connected to a second radio antenna, also includes a second unit for processing and storing information, a second device for generating an audio orientation signal and a second device for reproducing an audio orientation signal, the output of the second transceiver connected to the input of the second block of processing and storage of information, and all the blocks and devices TP are connected to the second block

Description

The utility model relates to devices that give patients with visual impairments the possibility of replacing direct visual perception with auditory perception and can be used to inform and orient the visually impaired when moving around the city and using vehicles.

Known devices for the orientation of the blind, built on the principle of location. These devices use either radar to detect obstacles that blind people face when moving in space (see, for example, [1, 2, 3]) or acoustic sonar [4]. Such devices differ in the type of impact on a person when determining an obstacle (acoustic or vibrational), reaction to one or more obstacles [1], the possibility of orientation in space using a magnetometer and GPS [2, 3], however, all these devices cannot give information to the blind person about urban infrastructure, so necessary for orientation in the city.

Other devices are known that provide the ability to inform a blind user about urban infrastructure.

Thus, a device protected by a patent [5] contains an information unit permanently installed at an urban infrastructure facility and a wearable voice alert unit that the user carries with him. Essentially, this device is a system for informing and orienting the blind (hereinafter - the system).

The information block of the system contains information about the object. The block radio transmitter with the frequency set by the timer sends an encoded message containing the indicated information to the air. Due to the applied narrow directivity characteristics, the user is given the opportunity to determine the direction to the object.

The transmitted message is reproduced by the wearable unit as a voice message listened by a person in real time.

This system allows a blind person to get information about the object of urban infrastructure in real time, but they have a number of disadvantages.

To determine the direction of movement to the object, the user must perform a complex maneuver;

Another disadvantage of the system is the need to place several information blocks on one object, which significantly increases the cost of acquiring, installing and maintaining such a system

Also, the lack of a tactile method of attracting the attention of a blind person when he falls into the coverage area of an information block can be attributed to the system’s disadvantages. Since the system is designed for operation in conditions of increased noise in an urban environment, a visually impaired person may miss an object of interest to him simply by not hearing a voice message due to loud noise.

These disadvantages are eliminated in the System protected by patent [6].

System [6] is the closest analogue of the proposed utility model.

The system [6] contains an information unit (hereinafter referred to as the radio informant) permanently installed on the urban infrastructure object, transmitting with a specified frequency in digital form messages about the object on which it is installed, and a wearable voice alert unit that reproduces these messages in voice (hereinafter - subscriber’s device).

If the user needs to determine the direction of movement to the object, information about which he hears, then, by means of the subscriber's device, he sends a special encoded package to the radio informer. Upon receipt of this package, the radio informer, within a fixed time, gives a sound signal orientation, allowing the user to accurately determine the direction of movement to the object.

A tactile action device has been introduced into the subscriber’s device, with which the user's attention is attracted when he enters the coverage area of the radio informer.

It is also possible, if necessary, to install one radio informator on one object with additional devices for supplying a sound orientation signal placed above the entrances to various premises of the object.

However, the considered system has a number of significant drawbacks.

When a user moves along a pedestrian route, the radio informants of stationary objects located along the route of his and the radio informants of vehicles passing by or at stops will create mutual radio interference.

When submitting a special encoded package for delivering a sound signal of orientation by the radio informant of the vehicle selected by the user, if, after this selection, appears in the coverage area of the subscriber unit of the radio informator installed on another vehicle, this parcel can be received by both radio informants, they can simultaneously give orientation signals , which will lead to disorientation of the user.

Real-time transmission and playback of a message may, with significant fluctuations in the level of the radio signal, not provide sufficient reception stability.

Also, when transmitting and playing messages in real time, the user can start listening not from the beginning of the message, but from any fragment of it, which can lead to disorientation of the user and / or increase the time for perceiving information.

The utility model is based on the task of eliminating the indicated disadvantages of the prototype, and creating an improved system for informing and orienting the visually impaired.

The technical result of the utility model is to increase the noise immunity of the exchange of information between a subscriber’s device located with a visually impaired visitor and radio informers, including when this device is in overlapping areas of radio informers installed on stationary objects and radio informers installed on vehicles, ensuring a holistic playback of messages from radio informers and the filing of a sound informant by the radio informer to determine, for example the movement of the visually impaired is precisely to the stationary object or vehicle of his choice, despite the appearance, after this choice, in the coverage area of the subscriber unit of the radio informer installed on another vehicle.

The proposed system contains stationary stationary radio informants (CP) installed on stationary objects, each of which includes a first radio antenna, a first unit for storing a compressed sound file (NWF), a first unit for generating and storing a digital data packet, and operating at a frequency f ₁ , connected to the first radio antenna, the first transceiver also contains series-connected the first unit for processing and storing information, the first device for generating an audio signal and a first device for reproducing an audio orientation signal, the output of the first transceiver being connected to the input of the first information processing and storage unit, and all blocks and CP devices connected to the first control unit and the first power supply unit.

The system also contains transport radio information devices (TP) mounted on vehicles, each of which includes a second radio antenna, a second storage unit of the NWF connected in series, a second block for generating and storing a digital data packet, and operating at a frequency f ₂ and connected to a second radio antenna the transceiver also comprises in series connected a second unit for processing and storing information, a second device for generating an audio orientation signal and a second device for reproducing production of a sound orientation signal, the output of the second transceiver being connected to the input of the second information processing and storage unit, and all the blocks and TP devices connected to the second control unit and the second power supply unit

The structure of the system also includes wearable subscriber devices (AU), located at the users of the system - visually impaired, each of which includes a tactile device, serially connected to the first control unit for receiving / transmitting frequency and the third transceiver operating at frequencies f ₁ and f ₂ and connected to the third radio antenna, also contains a third information processing and storage unit connected in series, an SPF to analog voice message conversion unit, and a playback device voice information, and the output of the third transceiver is connected to the input of the third information processing and storage unit, the output of the manual control device is connected to the input of the voice information reproducing device, and the digital call sending unit is connected to the input of the third transceiver, and all the blocks and devices of the wearable AU connected to a third control unit and a third power supply unit.

New features in the system are the inclusion in the composition of radio informers of storage units of the NWF, blocks of formation and storage of the DPC, the inclusion in the composition of radio informers and wearable AU of new control units, processing and storage units of information, the inclusion in the composition of wearable AU of a control unit for receiving / transmitting frequency, a conversion NWF in analogue voice message, CPV formation unit.

Component of the technical result of the utility model - increased noise immunity of the radio reception and holistic reproduction by the subscriber’s device of a visually impaired visitor of messages from radio informers is achieved by including in the composition of the radio informers the storage units of the NWF, the formation and storage blocks of the CPD, the inclusion of new control units in the composition of the radio informers and wearable AUs, blocks of processing and storage of information by the inclusion in the composition of wearable AU block conversion of NWF into an analog voice message.

A component of the technical result of the utility model is an increase in the noise immunity of a radio reception by a wearable AU, including when it is located in intersecting areas of operation of radio informants installed on stationary objects, and radio informants installed on vehicles, is achieved by including a transmit / receive frequency control unit in the AU, the inclusion in the composition of radio informers and wearable control units of information processing and storage, new control units.

A technical component of the utility model is the delivery by the radio informer of a sound orientation signal to determine the direction of movement specifically to the CO or TS selected by the visually impaired by including the central control unit in the composition of the radio informers, the inclusion of new control units in the composition of the radio informers and wearable AUs, and the inclusion in the composition of the radio informers and wearable control units of information processing and storage and inclusion in the composition of the control unit of the formation of the CPV.

The essence of the utility model is illustrated in figure 1 ÷ 4, where in figure 1. depicts a block diagram of a system for informing and orienting the visually impaired, figure 2 is a block diagram of a CP, figure 3. is a block diagram of TP in FIG. 4. - block diagram of a wearable AU.

The system (figure 1) includes installed on CO 1 CP 2 installed on the vehicle 3 TP 4, as well as wearable AU 5.

CP 2 (FIG. 2) includes a first radio antenna 6 connected in series to a first NWF storage unit 7, a first DPC generation and storage unit 8, and operating at a frequency f ₁ and connected to a first radio antenna 6, a first transceiver 9, also includes connected in series a first information processing and storage unit 10, a first device for generating an audio orientation signal and a first device 12 for reproducing an audio orientation signal, the output of the first transceiver 9 being connected to the input of the first unit oka 10 processing and storage of information. All blocks and CP devices are connected to the first control unit 13 and the first power supply unit 14.

TP 4 (Fig. 3) includes a second radio antenna 15 connected in series to a second NWF storage unit 16, a second CPC generation and storage unit 17, and operating at a frequency f ₂ and connected to the second radio antenna 15, the first transceiver 18, also includes connected in series a second unit 19 for processing and storing information, a second device 20 for generating an audio orientation signal, a second device 21 for reproducing an audio orientation signal, the output of the second transceiver 18 being connected to the input of the second processing unit 19 and data storage. All TP units and devices are connected to the second control unit 22 and the second power supply unit 23

Wearable AU 5 (figure 4) includes a tactile device 24, a third radio antenna 25, serially connected unit 26 for controlling the frequency of reception / transmission and a third transceiver 27 operating at frequencies f ₁ and f ₂ and connected to the third radio antenna 25, the output which is connected to the third block 28 of the processing and storage of information. Block 28, block 29 converting the compressed audio file into an analog voice message and the voice information reproducing device 30 are connected in series. A manual control device 31 is connected to the input of the device 30. To the input of the transceiver 27 is connected a block 32 of the formation of the CPV, while all the blocks and devices of the wearable AU are connected to the third control unit 33 and the third power supply unit 34.

All blocks of the structural diagram of the claimed system are known in the art and are mass-produced. For example, control units, units for generating and storing digital data packets, units for processing and storing information and devices for generating sound orientation signals are based on Atmel single-chip microcontrollers manufactured by Atmel, transceivers based on Si4421 single-chip transceivers manufactured by Silicon Labs, and a digital calendar clock the control unit - based on the DS1340 chip manufactured by Dallas Semiconductor, the storage units for compressed audio files - based on the AT25DF321 Flash memory chip atmel company Atmel, the electro-acoustic transducer of radio informers and additional units for supplying an audio signal of orientation is a WAST piezoelectric transducer manufactured by EAST, the electro-acoustic transducer of a subscriber device is a dynamic head YD 50-02 manufactured by Zhenglong Electronic, the tactile device is a QX-6A-1 vibromotor manufactured by QX Motor.

The operation of the claimed system is as follows.

Each CP 2.i installed on a stationary object СО 1.i (Fig. 1), where i is in the range from 1 to A, regularly transmits to the radio broadcast a group of identical DPCs, each of which contains, including, NWF with PC about the CO on which this CP is installed, as well as the personal data of this CP.

Each TP 4.j ,. installed on the vehicle 3.j where j is in the range from 1 to B, regularly transmits to the radio a group of identical DPCs, each of which contains, among other things, NWF with PC about the vehicle on which this TP is installed, as well as personal data of this TR.

The carrier radio frequencies at which the CP and TP DPCs are transmitted are spaced over the radio frequency range.

Groups of identical DPCs are received by the wearable AU 5.k, where k is in the range from 1 to C, which reproduces the voice message from the received DPC. The frequency of reception / transmission is set by the user in a portable AU 5, depending on the type of object, about which he wants to receive information - from CO or TS. If the user needs the particular CO or TS whose message he is listening to, then, using the wearable AU, the user sends to the radio informator installed on his chosen CO or TS a CPV containing the personal data of this radio informant, upon receipt of which the radio informant gives an orientation sound signal that allows visually impaired to determine the direction of movement necessary for him.

The command in AU 5 to transmit the CPV can be given by the user an unlimited number of times.

The interaction between CP, or TP, and AU 5 is as follows.

CP 2.i (figure 2) in block 7 stores the NWF, which contains in digital form a PC about the CO 1.i on which CP 2.i is installed. This NWF, by command from block 13, is transferred to block 8, where the CPD is formed by adding the necessary service information to the NWF, including personalization of CP 2.i. Next, a group of identical DPCs thus formed, by means of a transceiver 9 and a radio antenna 6, is regularly transmitted, on command from block 13, to the radio.

Block 13 also provides synchronization of the work of the remaining blocks of the CP.

TP 4.j (Fig. 3) in block 16 stores the NWF that digitally contains a PC about the TS 3.j on which TP 4.j is installed. This NWF, on command from block 22, is transferred to block 17 where the CPD is formed by adding the necessary service information to the NWF, including personalizing TP 4.j. Next, a group of identical DPCs thus formed, by means of transceiver 18 and radio antenna 15, is regularly transmitted, on command from block 22, to the air.

Block 22 also provides synchronization of the operation of the remaining TP blocks.

The user, in the portable AU 5.k (Fig. 4), through the device 31, through the block 33, gives a command to the block 26 to establish in the transceiver 27 the radio frequency of reception / transmission - f ₁ or f ₂ corresponding to the user-selected information reception mode - either from CP or TP, receives a radio antenna group 25 with a transceiver 27 connected to it, a group of identical DPCs from CP 2.i or TP 4j, transfers this group of identical DPCs to block 28 connected to a transceiver 27, where the correct DPC is allocated from the group of identical DPCs , from which, in particular, the sonal data of the information source is CP 2.i or TP 4.j, as well as the NWF, after which the NWF goes to block 29, where the NWF is decompressed and converted into an analog voice message, which is transmitted to the device 30, which is reproduced. The volume of the device 30 is regulated by the device 31 connected to it. Block 33 also provides synchronization of the operation of the remaining blocks and devices of the portable AC 5.

With the beginning of the reception of a group of identical CPUs, the device 24 periodically gives, to attract the attention of the user, a short-term vibration signal.

If the user needs the CO 1.i, or the TS 3.j, a message about which is reproduced in the wearable AU 5.k (Fig. 4), he in the wearable AU 5.k, through the device 31, through block 33, gives the command to block 32 for receiving personal data from block 28 of the corresponding CP 2.i or TP 4.j, forming a CPV with this data, transmitting this CPV to a transceiver 27 connected in series with block 32, which transmits this CPV via radio antenna 25 to the side of the receive / transmit radio frequency set by side 26 is f ₁ or f ₂ .

If work is carried out with CP 2.i (Fig. 2), the CPV is received by the radio antenna 6 and transceiver 9, transmitted to block 10, identified in it as a request signal for the orientation sound signal precisely by this CP 2.i, block 13 gives the command to the sound of the orientation signal to the device 11, in series with which the device 12 is connected, which supplies the sound orientation signal.

If the operation is carried out with TP 4.j (Fig. 3), the CPV is received by the radio antenna 15 and transceiver 18 TP 4.j, transmitted to block 19, is identified in it as a request signal for the supply of an orientation sound signal by precisely this TP 4.j, block 22 gives a command to supply a sound orientation signal to the device 20, in series with which a device 21 is connected, which gives an audio orientation signal.

CP 2 is powered by connecting all CP 2 units and devices to unit 14.

The TP 4 is powered by connecting all TP units and devices to unit 24.

The power of the wearable AU 5 is carried out by connecting all the blocks and devices of the wearable AU to the block 34.

Thus, as follows from the description of the system and its components, the introduction of new features into the system allows us to provide the declared technical results, and enables the visually impaired to move around the city much more freely and use public transport.

Information sources

1 RF Patent 58350, publ. 11/27/2006 by class A61F 9/08

2 RF Patent 2299052, publ. 05/20/2007 by class A61F 9/08

3 RF Patent 2299053, publ. 05/20/2007 by class A61F 9/08

4 RF Patent 2085162, publ. 07.27.1997 by class A61F9 / 08

5 RF Patent 43161, publ. 01/10/2005 according to class A61F 9/08

6 RF Patent 97918 publ. 09/27/2010 by class A61F 9/08 - prototype

Claims (1)

A system for informing and orienting the visually impaired, which contains stationary radio information devices (SR) installed on stationary objects, each of which includes a first radio antenna, a first unit for storing a compressed audio file, a first unit for generating and storing a digital data packet, and operating at a frequency f ₁ and the first radio antenna connected to the first transceiver also comprises a serially coupled first block of information processing and storage, the first device pho signal orientation signal and the first device for reproducing the audio orientation signal, the output of the first transceiver being connected to the input of the first information processing and storage unit, and all the units and CP devices connected to the first control unit and the first power supply unit, also containing transport radio information installed on vehicles (TP), each of which includes a second radio antenna, connected in series to a second compressed audio file storage unit A second generating unit and storing the digital data burst, and operating at a frequency f ₂ and connected to the second radio antenna of the second transceiver also includes a serially connected second processing unit and storing information, the second device forming sound orientation and a second device reproducing sound orientation signal, wherein the output of the second transceiver is connected to the input of the second processing unit and information storage, and all the blocks and devices TP are connected to the second block control and the second power supply unit, also containing wearable subscriber devices (AU), located at the users of the system - visually impaired, each of which includes a tactile device, serially connected to the first control unit for transmitting / receiving frequency and the third transceiver operating at frequencies f ₁ and f ₂ and connected to the third radio antenna also includes a serially coupled third processing unit and storing information conversion unit in the compressed audio file ana og voice message and voice information reproducing device, wherein the output of the third transceiver is connected to the input of the third information processing and storage unit, the output of the manual control device is connected to the input of the voice information reproducing device, and the digital call sending unit is connected to the input of the third transceiver, the blocks and devices of the wearable AU are connected to the third control unit and the third power supply unit.

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