Identifier/locator device for visually impaired

• US 5,508,699 A
• Filed: 10/25/1994
• Issued: 04/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hildy S. Silverman
• Original Assignee: Hildy S. Silverman
• Inventors: Silverman, Hildy S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/328,462
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/407.1, 340/325.19, 340/944, 340/539, 340/947, 340/954, 340/958, 340/825.49, 381/68.1, 381/92, 434/112, 434/116, 367/99, 367/118, 367/124, 342/24
• US Class Current: 340/944
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/061 with electronic detecting or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/005 including pedestrian guidance indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/006 using audible presentation of the information

Abstract

The present invention is a locator device for the visually impaired including a transmitter and a dual sensing system having a receiver with earphones which are attached to opposite sides of a unit worn on the user'"'"'s head. The sensing system is capable of determining a direction and distance of the signal, and capable of producing first and second audible notifiers in each of the earphones. The notifier produced in each earphone is different and is associated with the direction and distance of the transmitted signal. When the notifier produced in each earphone is the same, the user is directly in front of the desired object to be located.

Claims

1. A device for guiding the visually impaired comprising:

(a) a transmitting unit including means for transmitting an inaudible signal, said transmitting unit being mountable to a desired object, and

(b) a receiving unit, said receiving unit being attached to a housing unit to be worn by a user, and including means for receiving said signal in connection with means for processing, said means for processing being further in connection with means for amplifying and broadcasting;

wherein said means for processing comprises distance calculator means for determining a distance between said transmitting unit and said receiving unit, direction discriminator means for sensing a direction of the transmitted signal, and source decoder means for decoding a message;

said means for processing further comprising an information discriminator and source generator in electrical connection with said distance calculator means, direction discriminator means and source decoder means;

said information discriminator and source generator having means for generating a first and second audible notifier associated with said distance, said direction and said message; and

said means for amplifying and broadcasting having means for sounding said first and second audible notifiers, said first and second audible notifiers being associated with an identification and a location of said transmitting unit on said desired object such that said first and second audible notifiers are different unless the receiving unit is faced directly in front of the transmitting unit.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for amplifying and broadcasting comprises a set of earphones.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said information discriminator and source generator includes programmed means for prioritizing predetermined information.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said programmed means is a microprocessing chip.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said transmitter unit further comprises programmed means for prioritizing predetermined information.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said programmed means is a microprocessing chip or an encoder.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising means for attaching said transmitting unit to said desired object, said means for attaching being selected from the group consisting of adhesive, hook and loop type fasteners, screws and rivets.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said inaudible signal is selected from the group consisting of RF signals and ultrasonic signals.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said housing unit is selected from the group consisting of a pair of glasses and a hat.

10. A device for guiding the visually impaired comprising,

(a) a transmitting unit including means for transmitting an inaudible signal, said transmitting unit being mountable to a desired object, and

(b) a receiving unit, said receiving unit being attached to a housing unit to be worn on a head of a user, and including means for receiving said signal in connection with means for processing, said means for processing being further in connection with means for amplifying and broadcasting;

wherein said means for processing comprises distance calculator means for determining a distance between said transmitting unit and said receiving unit, direction discriminator means for sensing a direction of the transmitted signal, and source decoder means for decoding a message;

said means for processing further comprising an information discriminator and source generator in electrical connection with said distance calculator means, direction discriminator means and source decoder means;

said information discriminator and source generator having means for generating a first and second audible notifier associated with said distance, said direction and said message; and

said means for amplifying and broadcasting comprising a controller, amplifier and left and right earphones for sounding said first and second audible notifiers, said first and second audible notifiers being associated with an identification and a location of said transmitting unit on said desired object such that said first and second audible notifiers are different unless the receiving unit is faced directly in front of the transmitting unit.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said information discriminator and source generator includes programmed means for prioritizing predetermined information.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said programmed means is a microprocessing chip.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein said transmitter unit further comprises programmed means for prioritizing predetermined information.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said programmed means is a microprocessing chip or an encoder.

15. The device of claim 10, further comprising means for attaching said transmitting unit to said desired object, said means for attaching being selected from the group consisting of adhesive, hook and loop type fasteners, screws and rivets.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein said inaudible signal is selected from the group consisting of RF signals and ultrasonic signals.

17. The device of claim 10, wherein said housing unit is selected from the group consisting of a pair of glasses and a hat.

18. A device for guiding the visually impaired comprising,

(a) a transmitting unit including means for transmitting an inaudible signal, said transmitting unit being mountable to a desired object, and

(b) a receiving unit, said receiving unit being attached to a housing unit to be worn on a head of a user, and including means for receiving said signal in connection with means for processing, said means for processing being further in connection with means for amplifying and broadcasting;

wherein said means for processing comprises distance calculator means for determining a distance between said transmitting unit and said receiving unit, direction discriminator means for sensing a direction of the transmitted signal, and source decoder means for decoding a message;

said means for processing further comprising an information discriminator and source generator in electrical connection with said distance calculator means, direction discriminator means and source decoder means;

said information discriminator and source generator having programmed means for prioritizing predetermined information and means for generating a first and second audible notifier associated with said distance, said direction, said message and said predetermined information; and

said means for amplifying and broadcasting comprising a controller, amplifier and left and right earphones for sounding said first and second audible notifiers, said first and second audible notifiers being associated with an identification and a location of said transmitting unit on said desired object such that said first and second audible notifiers are different unless the receiving unit is faced directly in front of the transmitting unit.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said inaudible signal is selected from the group consisting of RF signals and ultrasonic signals.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein said housing unit is selected from the group consisting of a pair of glasses and a hat.