System, method and computer program product to assist the visually impaired in navigation
First Claim
1. A method of providing a tactile response comprising:
- computing, by a processing circuit, a detection region based on a radial distance and a central angle;
calibrating a pressure based tactile response device with a plurality of calibration parameters;
detecting a plurality of objects within the detection region by a plurality of sensors disposed on the pressure based tactile response device, the plurality of objects including moving objects and stationary objects;
computing, by the processing circuit, for each detected object of the plurality of objects, a bearing angle and a distance the detected object is disposed from the pressure based tactile response device;
calculating a plurality of unsafe regions based on the computed bearing angles and distances, each unsafe region having a radius that is determined based on a number of detected objects included in the unsafe region; and
triggering, in one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation of the pressure based tactile response device, a plurality of pressure modules disposed on the pressure based tactile response device, to provide a tactile indication to a user of the tactile response device, the triggering being initiated based on the user approaching the unsafe region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method and computer program product that provides tactile feedback to assist a visually impaired person in navigation and avoid collisions with obstacles (objects). The system comprises a pressure based tactile response device and a remote control device. The pressure based tactile response device comprises of a pressure pad which includes a plurality of pressure modules that provide a haptic response to the visually impaired person. With a feedback mechanism the pressure based tactile response device provides navigational information to the impaired person and ensures that collisions with obstacles are avoided. The remote control device comprises a plurality of sensors which enable the impaired person to locate the pressure based tactile response device when it is not in his possession.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of providing a tactile response comprising:
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computing, by a processing circuit, a detection region based on a radial distance and a central angle; calibrating a pressure based tactile response device with a plurality of calibration parameters; detecting a plurality of objects within the detection region by a plurality of sensors disposed on the pressure based tactile response device, the plurality of objects including moving objects and stationary objects; computing, by the processing circuit, for each detected object of the plurality of objects, a bearing angle and a distance the detected object is disposed from the pressure based tactile response device; calculating a plurality of unsafe regions based on the computed bearing angles and distances, each unsafe region having a radius that is determined based on a number of detected objects included in the unsafe region; and triggering, in one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation of the pressure based tactile response device, a plurality of pressure modules disposed on the pressure based tactile response device, to provide a tactile indication to a user of the tactile response device, the triggering being initiated based on the user approaching the unsafe region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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8. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a program that when executed by a computer causes the computer to execute a method of providing a tactile response comprising:
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computing a detection region based on a radial distance and a central angle; calibrating a pressure based tactile response device with a plurality of calibration parameters; detecting a plurality of objects within the detection region by a plurality of sensors disposed on the pressure based tactile response device, the plurality of objects including moving objects and stationary objects; computing, for each detected object of the plurality of objects, a bearing angle and a distance the detected object is disposed from the pressure based tactile response device; calculating a plurality of unsafe regions based on the computed bearing angles and distances, each unsafe region having a radius that is determined based on a number of detected objects included in the unsafe region; and triggering, in one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation of the pressure based tactile response device, a plurality of pressure modules disposed on the pressure based tactile response device, to provide a tactile indication to a user of the tactile response device, the triggering being initiated based on the user approaching the unsafe region.
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Specification