SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT TO ASSIST THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED IN NAVIGATION

• US 20140132388A1
• Filed: 11/14/2012
• Published: 05/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ishraq Alalawi
• Original Assignee: Ishraq Alalawi
• Inventors: ALALAWI, Ishraq
• Granted Patent: US 9,384,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/4.12
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays

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.

Claims

1. A navigational system comprising:

a pressure based tactile response device that includes

a wheel disposed at a lower end thereof,

a docketing stand disposed at an upper end thereof,

a heat sensor disposed adjacent to the lower end and configured to detect hot objects,

a radar sensor disposed between the lower end and the upper end and configured to detect moving objects and stationary objects,

a pressure pad mounted on the docketing stand, and including a plurality of pressure modules,

an adjustable strap attached to the pressure pad,

an infrared transmitter and an antenna disposed adjacent to the upper end, and

a controller that generates a drive signal to control the pressure modules to provide a tactile response indicating a position of the objects and navigates a user so as to avoid collision with the moving objects and stationary objects.

2. The navigational system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a remote control device that includes

an antenna that transmits wireless command signals to the antenna of the pressure based tactile response device,

an infrared detector that receives infrared transmissions emitted by the infrared transmitter of the pressure based tactile response device,

a locate button that when actuated initiates a process of interfacing with the pressure based tactile response device,

a speaker that provides audible directions,

a volume control button that controls a magnitude of the audible directions,

a haptic device disposed on the remote control, and

a remote-controller that generates a drive signal to detect the magnitude of infrared transmissions and provide navigational directions to the user to locate the pressure based tactile response device.

3. The navigational system according to claim 1, wherein said tactile response device is a walking cane.

4. The remote control device according to claim 2, wherein said haptic device is a vibration device.

5. The pressure based cane tactile response device according to claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to provide feedback until said user has navigated away from the object by a predetermined distance.

6. The remote control device according to claim 2, wherein said controller is configured to provide feedback until said user has located the pressure based tactile response device

7. A method of providing a tactile response comprising:

computing, with a processing circuit, a detection region based on a predetermined radial distance and a central angle;

calibrating a pressure based tactile response device with a plurality of predetermined parameters;

detecting a plurality positions of moving objects and stationary objects within said detection region by a plurality of sensors located on said pressure based tactile response device;

processing with said processing circuit, the positions of moving objects and stationary objects to compute a plurality of bearing angles and distances relative to said pressure based tactile response device;

computing a plurality of unsafe regions based on the bearing angles and distances;

triggering a plurality of pressure modules to provide a tactile indication to a user regarding an amount by which the user must move to avoid said unsafe regions.

8. The method of providing a tactile response according to claim 7, further comprising:

computing, with a processing circuit, an arc length based on said radial distance and central angle.

9. The method of providing a tactile response according to claim 7, further comprising:

computing, with a processing circuit, a transformation of said bearing angles and radial distances to a cartesian coordinate system.

10. The method of providing a tactile response according to claim 7, wherein the detecting further includes detecting a hot object by a heat sensor of the plurality of sensors, and detecting stationary and moving objects by a radar sensor of the plurality of sensors.

11. The method of providing a tactile response according to claim 7, wherein the calibrating the pressure based tactile response device further includes calibrating a detection time interval parameter of the plurality of predetermined parameters, and calibrating a activation distance parameter the plurality of predetermined parameters.

12. The method of providing a tactile response according to claim 11, wherein the detection time interval parameter is a periodic amount of time after which the plurality of sensors are activated to detect object positions within said detection region.

13. The method of providing a tactile response according to claim 11, wherein the activation distance parameter is a minimum distance the pressure based tactile response device is from the object to trigger a tactile response.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a program that when executed by a computer causes the computer to execute the steps of:

computing a detection region based on a predetermined radial distance and a central angle;

calibrating a pressure based tactile response device with a plurality of predetermined parameters;

detecting a plurality of positions of moving objects and stationary objects within said detection region by a plurality of sensors located on said pressure based tactile response device;

processing the positions of moving objects and stationary objects to compute a plurality of bearing angles and distances relative to said pressure based tactile response device;

computing a plurality of unsafe regions based on the bearing angles and distances;

triggering a plurality of pressure modules to provide a tactile indication to a user regarding an amount by which the user must move to avoid said unsafe regions.