System for guiding the blind

• US 4,660,022 A
• Filed: 10/29/1984
• Issued: 04/21/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Takeshi Osaka
• Original Assignee: Takeshi Osaka
• Inventors: Osaka, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fatahi-Yar, Mahmoud
• Application Number:
  US06/665,772
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 340/407, 340/944, 340/988, 340/996, 340/19 A, 340/21, 343/5 BL, 343/6.5 SS, 343/116, 369/21, 369/22, 342/24, 135/DIG. 11, 367/19, 367/95, 367/107, 367/116, 367/900, 367/910
• US Class Current: 340/384.3
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/005 including pedestrian guidance indicator

Abstract

A system for guiding the blind including at least one receiver/sound generator unit having a built-in sound generator giving information on the destination of the user, and a receiver for actuating the sound generator in accordance with a control signal coming from outside, and a transmitter/control unit carried by the user for producing the control signal. As the user carrying the transmitter/control unit and approaching the destination at which the receiver/sound generator unit is installed, the user actuates the transmitter/control unit to cause it to produce a control signal which actuates the sound generator of the receiver/sound generator whereby an audio signal representing a voice, an onomatopoeic sound, a chime, etc., is produced to guide the user to the destination.

Claims

1. A system for guiding a blind person to a preselected destination comprising:

at least one receiver/sound generator unit disposed at said destination including a sound generator storing data of a predetermined unique content, and a receiver receiving an electromagnetic control signal from outside to actuate said sound generator, said sound generator producing unique sounds indicative of said destination in response to said control signal; and

a portable transmitter/control unit carried by said blind person for producing said electromagnetic control signal, upon activation by said blind person.

2. A system for guiding the blind as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sound generator comprises a recording and reproducing system for recording and reproducing the name or address of a place at which said receiver/sound generator is installed.

3. A system for guiding the blind as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sound generator comprises a voice synthesizing circuit for recording and reproducing the name or address of a place at which said receiver/sound generator is installed.

4. A system for guiding the blind as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sound generator comprises an onomatopoeic sound generating system producing sound simulating chirping of some small birds.