Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-09
2001-03-06
Wu, Daniel J. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S407100, C434S116000, C342S024000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06198395
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to obstacle detection devices for the blind and, more particularly, to a sensing array for the blind.
BACKGROUND ART
A variety of mobility aids have been developed to provide the blind with a means of traveling independently, confidently, and quickly. These aids include sensory devices for sensing potential obstacles. The sensory devices typically transmit a signal in a beam towards an area and then listen to receive a signal reflected off of an object in the area. Because the propagation velocity of the signal is known, the time between the transmit and reflected signals is indicative of the distance of the object from the sensory device.
A primary disadvantage with the prior art is in “sensing” the space between objects, as well as sensing the general outline of the objects themselves. For example, a blind person walking down the street would like to distinguish between people, mail boxes, trees, etc., and of the gaps between them. In essence, the blind person would like to be able to form a mental picture or “footprint” of the surrounding environment. The blind person would also like to be able to form the mental picture from tactile stimulation and/or auditory signals as quickly and accurately as possible. The prior art is devoid of such a sensory device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sensory system which enables a visually impaired user to obtain a mental picture of the surrounding environment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a sensory system having an array of transmitters and sensors operable to enable the visually impaired user to obtain a mental picture of the surrounding environment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sensory system having an array of ultrasonic transducers.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a sensory system having an array of laser transmitters and laser sensors.
In carrying out the above objects and other objects, a sensory system for a visually impaired user is provided. The sensory system includes an array of laser transmitters for transmitting laser signals in given areas corresponding to each of the laser transmitters. The system further includes an array of laser sensors for receiving laser signals reflected from objects in the given areas with each laser sensor corresponding to a respective one of the laser transmitters. The time between transmitted and received laser signals is indicative of the distance between the user and an object in the corresponding given area.
A processor is operable with the laser transmitters and laser sensors to effect scanning of the given areas by the array. The processor also processes the transmitted and received signals to determine the distance between the user and objects in the given areas. A feedback system is operable with the processor for generating a feedback signal for each of the laser sensors as a function of the received laser signal.
Further, in carrying out the above objects and other objects, the present invention provides a method for a visually impaired user. The method includes transmitting laser signals in given areas corresponding to respective positions. The laser signals reflected from objects in the corresponding given areas are then received at the respective positions. The time between transmitted and received laser signals at the respective positions is indicative of the distance between the user and an object in the corresponding given area.
The transmission and reception of the laser signals at the respective positions may be enabled and disabled periodically to effect scanning of the given areas. A feedback signal is generated for each of the positions as a function of the received laser signal.
The advantages accruing to the present invention are numerous. The sensory system provides a visually impaired user with a footprint mental picture of the environment by scanning horizontally and vertically across a sensor array.
These and other features, aspects, and embodiments of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.
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