RU2534961C2 - Method and system for informing and orientation of visually handicapped persons - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics, navigation.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to navigation means for visually handicapped persons. In the method, each of fixed radio informers installed on fixed objects and vehicle radio informers installed on vehicles transmits by radio broadcast a group of identical digital data packets containing a compressed audio file with a voice message on a fixed object or vehicle on which said fixed radio informer or vehicle informer is installed, and personal of the fixed radio informer or vehicle informer, wherein transmission/reception of information by each fixed radio informer is carried out at a fixed radio frequency, and transmission/reception of information by each vehicle informer is carried out at a fixed radio frequency, each portable user device receives the group of digital data packets over a radio link; when reception of the group of digital data packets begins, the attention of the user is attracted by a brief vibration signal.

EFFECT: high accuracy of navigation when a navigation device is located at the intersection of coverage areas of radio informers.

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Description

The invention relates to methods and devices giving 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 methods of orientation of the blind, built on the principle of location, and devices for implementing these methods. These devices use either radars 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), response 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.

There are other known methods and devices for their implementation, providing the ability to inform the blind user about the objects of 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.

The specified system and method allows a blind person to obtain information about an object of urban infrastructure in real time, however, 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 method implemented by the System protected by patent [6].

System [6] and the method implemented by it are the closest analogue of the present invention.

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 and the method of its operation have 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 basis of the invention is the task of eliminating these disadvantages of the prototype, and the creation of an improved method of informing and orienting the visually impaired and implementing its system.

The technical result of the invention is to increase the noise immunity of the exchange of information between a subscriber’s device located with a visually impaired visually impaired person and radio informers, including when the device is located in overlapping areas of radio informers installed on stationary objects and radio informers installed on vehicles, ensuring consistent playback messages from radio informers and the filing by the radio informer of an audio orientation signal to determine the direction Nia movement of visually impaired people is a stationary object chosen by him or the vehicle, despite the appearance, after this choice within the area of subscriber radioinformatora device mounted on another vehicle.

To solve this problem, each of the stationary radio information devices (CPs) installed on stationary objects (RMs) regularly transmit to the radio air a group of identical digital data packets (DPCs) containing, among other things, a compressed sound file (SPF) with a speech message (PC) about the CO volume on which this CP is installed, as well as the personal data of this CP, each of the transport radio informants (TP) installed on the vehicles (TS) regularly transmit to the radio air a group of identical digital data packets (CPDs) containing, including ie, a compressed audio file (STP) with a voice message (PC) of the vehicle on which the TP is installed, as well as personal data of the TP, and the transmission / reception of information each CP produce at a fixed radio frequency f _1, and the transmission / reception information each TP is produced at a fixed radio frequency f ₂ , each wearable subscriber unit (AU) receives groups of identical DPCs on the radio channel, with the beginning of reception of a group of identical DPCs to attract attention, they act on the user with a short-term vibration signal, set in the nose At the AU, the corresponding radio frequency of reception / transmission, f ₁ or f ₂ , depending on the type of radio informer individually selected — CP or TP, selects the correct DPC from the group, from this DPC extracts the personal data of the radio informer - the source of a group of identical DPCs, also from the DPC remove the NWF, decompress it and convert it into an analog voice message, reproduce this message from the very beginning, and, when the user listens to the message about the required CO or the vehicle he needs, at the user's command Wearable th UE is sent on the radio to the frequency selected - f ₁ or f _2, containing personal data radioinformatora listening to the special digital sending call (CPV), upon which it is fed radioinformatorom intermittent sound orientation signal.

The system that implements the proposed method for informing and orienting the visually impaired 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 audio file (NWF), a first unit for generating and storing digital a data packet, and operating at a frequency f ₁ , connected to the first radio antenna of the first transceiver, also contains a series-connected first processing and storage unit I am information, the first device for generating an audio orientation signal and the 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 (TPs) installed on vehicles, each of which includes a second radio antenna, a second storage unit, a second storage unit, a second unit for generating and storing a digital data packet, and working at a frequency of h 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 processing and storage unit, and all units 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 proposed method for informing and orienting the visually impaired are the separation of the carrier frequencies of the radio exchange between subscriber devices and various types of radio informants - CP and TP, the possibility of receiving and integral reproduction by wearable AU of messages from the radio informant of the type selected by the user, the formation and transmission by groups of identical DPCs, containing, including, NWF with PC about the corresponding SO or TS and personal data of CP or TP installed on it, separation from the accepted group for the correct DPC, isolation of the source of information from the information source and the NWF from this packet, decompression of the NWF, address direction of the radio selector selected by the user, to provide an orientation sound signal, the DSP containing the personal data of this radio informant.

New features in the system that implements the proposed method of informing and orienting the visually impaired are the inclusion of SZF storage units, the building blocks of the central processing center, the inclusion of new control units, information processing and storage units, and the inclusion of wearable AU of the control unit for the frequency of reception / transmission, the block for converting the NWF into an analog voice message, the block for the formation of the CPV.

A component of the technical result of the invention is the increased noise immunity of the radio and the holistic reproduction by the subscriber’s device of a visually impaired visitor of messages from radio informers is achieved through the use of new features of the method of informing and orientating the visually impaired, namely, the transmission of audio data in compressed form, the transmission of the DPC in groups of several identical packets, the beginning of the playback of the message only after completion of the selection from the received group of the correct DPC, which, in particular It is ensured by new features of the system - the inclusion in the composition of radio informers of storage units of NWF, blocks of formation and storage of CPUs, the inclusion of new control units, units of processing and storage of information in the composition of radio information and wearable AUs, the inclusion of wearable units of conversion of NWF into an analog voice message .

A component of the technical result of the invention is to increase the noise immunity of a radio receiver by a wearable AU, including when it is located in intersecting areas of operation of radio informers installed on stationary objects, and radio informers installed on vehicles, achieved through the use of new features of the method of informing and orienting the visually impaired namely, the separation of the carrier frequencies of the exchange of information of wearable AUs with various types of radio informers - CP or TP, providing the possibility of receive and play wearable AU messages only from a radio informer of the type selected by the user — CP or TP, which, in particular, is provided by new features of the system — the inclusion of a control unit for receiving / transmitting frequency in the AU structure, the inclusion of information processing and storage units in the composition of the radio information devices and wearable AUs new control units.

A component of the technical result of the invention is the delivery by the radio informer of an audio orientation signal to determine the direction of movement precisely to the CO or vehicle selected by the visually impaired by using new signs of the method of informing and orienting the visually impaired, namely: personalization of the source of information transmitted in the DPC transmitted by the radio informer, extraction of this data by the wearable AU, and the address direction of the CPV radio selector selected by the user for the sound signal orientation, which, in particular, is provided by new features of the system - the inclusion in the composition of the radio information block of the formation and storage of the CPU, the inclusion of new control units in the composition of the radio information and wearable AU, the inclusion of information processing and storage units in the composition of the radio information and wearable AU and the inclusion of information in the AU block for the formation of CPV

The invention 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 composition of the system (figure 1), which implements the proposed method of informing and orienting the visually impaired, includes installed on CO 1.1 ÷ 1.a CP 2.1 ÷ 2.a, transmitting and receiving radio signals at a frequency f ₁ installed on TS 3.1 ÷ 3.b TP 4.1 ÷ 4.b, transmitting and receiving radio signals at a frequency f ₂ , and available to users of the AU system 5.1 ÷ 5.s, transmitting and transmitting radio signals at a frequency f ₁ , or, at the user's choice, frequency f ₂ . Each CP 2.1 ÷ 2.a and each TP 4.1 ÷ 4.b also has a built-in source of orientation sound signals.

Each CP 2..i (Fig. 2) includes a first radio antenna 6, connected in series to a first unit 7 for storing a compressed audio file (NWF), a first unit 8 for generating and storing a digital data packet (DPC), and operating at a frequency f ₁ and the first transceiver 9 connected to the first radio antenna 6 also includes serially connected 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 the first transceiver 9 is connected to the input of the first block 10 of 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.

Each TP 4.j (Fig. 3) includes a second radio antenna 15 connected in series to a second NWF storage unit 16, a second DPC 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 a second unit 19 for processing and storing information in series, 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 a 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

Each AU 5.k (figure 4) includes a tactile device 24, a third radio antenna 25, serially connected block 26 control 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 of 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 portable AC 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.

A description of the method of informing and orienting the visually impaired and the operation of the system that implements it is done jointly.

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 TS 3.j where j is in the range from 1 to B, regularly transmits to the radio group a group of identical DPCs, each of which contains, among other things, NWF with PC about the TS on which this TP 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 a digital PC about the CO 1.i, on which CP 2.i this NWF is installed, on command from block 13, is transmitted to block 8, where the CPD is formed by adding to the NWF the necessary service information, including personalization 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 transmission / reception - f ₁ or f ₂ , corresponding to the user-selected information reception mode - either from CP or TP, receives a group of identical DPCs from CP 2.i or TP 4.j, with a transceiver 27 connected to it, from the CP antenna, transmits this group of identical DPCs to block 28 connected to the transceiver 27, where it is allocated from the group of identical DPCs the correct DPC, from which, in particular, cite personal information source data - CP 2.i or TP 4.j, and also STP, after which the SMA goes to block 29 where the SMA demultiplexes and converted to 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, the 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 method and operation of the system and its components, the introduction of new features in the method and system can provide the claimed technical results, and enable the visually impaired person to move much more freely around the city 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 A61F 9/08

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 (2)

1. A method of informing and orienting the visually impaired, in which each of the stationary radio informants (CP) installed at stationary objects (CO) regularly broadcasts a group of identical digital data packets (CPS) to the radio air, including, among other things, a compressed sound file (SPF) ) with a voice message about the CO on which this CP is installed, as well as the personal data of this CP, each of the transport radio informants (TP) installed on the vehicles (TS) regularly transmit to the radio air a group of identical digital pa etov data (CPD) containing, including compressed audio file (SMA), with a voice message about the vehicle on which the TP is set, and the personal data of TP, wherein the transmission / reception of information by each CP produce at a fixed radio frequency f _1, and transmission / reception of information by each TP produce at a fixed radio frequency wearable each subscriber unit (SU) receiving CPE group by radio, with the beginning of the group receiving the CPE to attract attention affect the user's short vibration signal We establish ayut a wearable UE corresponding to a radio frequency transmission / reception - f ₁ or f _2, depending on the selected each user individually type desired him object - CO or TC is recovered from the group the correct CPE, this CPE recovered personal data radioinformatora - source group identical JRCs , also remove the NWF from the DPC and convert it into an analog voice message, play this message from the very beginning, and, when the user listens to the message about the required CO or the vehicle he needs, at the user's command With the help of a wearable AU, they are sent to the radio, at the set frequency - f ₁ or f ₂ , containing special personal digital calling (CPV) containing the personal data of the radio information being listened, upon receipt of which a short sound orientation signal is sent by this radio information device. 2. A system for informing and orienting the visually impaired, comprising stationary radio informants (CP) 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 a working one at a frequency f ₁ and the first transceiver connected to the first radio antenna also includes series-connected the first information processing and storage unit, the first device alignment of the audio orientation signal and the first device for reproducing the audio orientation signal, wherein the output of the first transceiver is connected to the input of the first information processing and storage unit, and all blocks and CP devices are connected to the first control unit and the first power supply unit, which also contains transport radio informants installed on vehicles (TP), each of which includes a second radio antenna, connected in series to a second compressed audio file storage unit, the second unit for generating and storing a digital data packet, and operating at a frequency f ₂ and connected to the second radio antenna, the second transceiver also includes serially connected 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, and the output the second transceiver is connected to the input of the second processing unit and information storage, and all the blocks and TP devices are connected to the second unit control unit and a 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 receiving / transmitting frequency and the third transceiver operating at frequencies f ₁ and f ₂ and connected to the third radio antenna, also includes a third unit for processing and storing information in series, a unit for converting a compressed audio file to an analog a speech message and a 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, and all 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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