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Radio frequency message apparatus for aiding ambulatory travel of visually impaired persons

  • US 5,144,294 A
  • Filed: 10/17/1990
  • Issued: 09/01/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for aiding ambulatory travel by a visually handicapped person, comprising:

  • first transceiver means operable to be carried and held in a hand of a visually handicapped person for transmitting a message request signal in response to a command from a handicapped individual, said message request signal having a limited signal strength corresponding to a first transmission distance;

    said first transceiver means having battery means for providing power thereto;

    second transceiver means fixedly disposed at a predetermined reference location for receiving said message request signal once said message request signal is transmitted by said first transceiver means while said first transceiver means is within a predetermined reception distance of said second transceiver means, and for generating in response thereto a modulated, radio frequency, location-indicating message signal; and

    said first transceiver means further having means for receiving said modulated, radio frequency, location-indicating message signal and automatically generating in response thereto a modulated, location-indicating audio message in accordance with said modulated, radio frequency, location-indicating message signal, said audio message being operable to audibly inform said visually handicapped person of said person'"'"'s arrival at said previously unknown reference location and the identity of said previously unknown reference location;

    and wherein said first transceiver means comprises electronic compass means responsive to the earth'"'"'s magnetic field and selectively controllable by said handicapped person for generating upon request by said handicapped person a directional indicating signal of varying signal strength as said electronic compass means is pointed in North, South, East and Westerly geographic directions, said directional indicating signal being perceptible by said handicapped person to aid said person in becoming orientated relative to said North, South, East and Westerly geographic directions.

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