WO2014070041A1

WO2014070041A1 - Method for informing and orienting sight-impaired persons and system for carrying out said method

Info

Publication number: WO2014070041A1
Application number: PCT/RU2013/000934
Authority: WO
Inventors: Максим Леонидович АРОНОВ
Original assignee: Aronov Maksim Leonidovich
Priority date: 2012-10-29
Filing date: 2013-10-21
Publication date: 2014-05-08

Abstract

The invention relates to technologies and means enabling patients with sight defects to replace direct visual perception by auditory perception. The claimed system for informing and orienting sight-impaired persons is a complete system ensuring, as a sight-impaired person moves about town and uses vehicles, that a subscriber device, which is located on said sight-impaired person, obtains and reproduces effective and sustained identification of objects and information regarding said objects, including under conditions where the subscriber device is located in intersecting zones of action of information devices arranged on closely spaced objects of various types - stationary objects and vehicles, and ensuring the assured determination of a direction of movement, specifically towards an object selected by the user, in accordance with an acoustic orientation signal suppliable by a device mounted on said object. This result is achieved by division of the frequencies of receiving/transmitting radio signals of information devices mounted on objects of various types, by an enhanced fast response, and by the stability of a channel for receiving and transmitting information, owing to the compaction/compression of information which can be transmitted/received, by the transmission/reception of information by a group of digital data packets with subsequent selection therefrom of the correct data packet, by the reproduction of information from the very beginning by the subscriber device, and by the personalization of the possible supply source of the acoustic orientation signal.

Description

A method of informing and orientating visually impaired people and a system for its implementation

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to technologies and means that enable patients with visual impairments to replace direct visual perception with auditory perception, and can be used to inform and orient people with visual impairments when moving around urban areas and using vehicles.

State of the art

Known devices for the orientation of the blind, built on the principle of location. These devices use either radar to detect obstacles that blind people face when moving in space (see patents RU N ° N ° 58350, 2299052, 2299053) or acoustic sonar (patent RU N22085 62).

Such devices differ in the type of impact on a person when determining an obstacle (acoustic or vibrational), reaction to one or several obstacles, and the possibility of orientation in space using a magnetometer and GPS, however, all these devices cannot provide information to the blind person about urban infrastructure , so necessary for orientation in the city.

Other devices are known that provide the opportunity for informing a blind user about urban infrastructure facilities.

Thus, the device protected by patent RU N ° 43161 contains an information unit that is permanently installed at an urban infrastructure facility and a wearable voice alert unit that the user carries with him. Essentially, this device is a system for informing and orienting the blind. The information block of the system contains information about the object. The block radio transmitter with the frequency set by the timer sends an encoded message containing the indicated information to the air. Due to the applied narrow directivity characteristics, the user is given the opportunity to determine the direction to the object. The transmitted message is reproduced by the wearable unit as a voice message listened by a person in real time.

This system allows a blind person to get information about the object of urban infrastructure in real time, but they have a number of disadvantages.

To determine the direction of movement to the object, the user must perform a complex maneuver;

Another drawback of the system is the need to place several information blocks on one object, which significantly increases the cost of acquiring, installing and maintaining such a system

Another disadvantage of the system is the lack of a tactile way of attracting the attention of a blind person when he gets into the coverage area of an information block. Since the system is designed for operation in conditions of increased noise in an urban environment, a visually impaired person may miss an object of interest to him simply by not hearing a voice message due to loud noise.

These shortcomings are eliminated in the communication system for informing and orienting the blind (patent RU N297918), selected as a prototype. This system, which contains an information block installed on the object, including a first digital storage device, a first encoder and a first radio transmitter, as well as a first timer control circuit, the corresponding outputs of which are connected to the control inputs of the first digital storage device, the first encoder and the first a radio transmitter further comprising a wearable unit including, in series, connected a first radio receiver, a first decoder, a second digital storage device, and an analog-to-analog converter, the first amplifier and the first electro-acoustic converter connected in series, as well as a second control circuit, the corresponding outputs of which are connected to the control inputs of the first radio receiver, the first decoder, the second digital storage device and the digital-to-analog converter, characterized in that an information block is introduced digital clock-calendar, connected in series to a second radio receiver and a second decoder, as well as a series-connected generator, a first digital volume control, a second amplifier and a second electro-acoustic transducer, while the control inputs of the digital calendar clock, the second radio receiver, the second decoder, generator and the first digital volume control are connected to the corresponding outputs the first control circuit, and the information outputs of the second decoder and the digital calendar clock are connected to the corresponding information inputs of the first control circuit, and in the wearable ok, a manual control device and a second encoder and a second radio transmitter connected in series, as well as a tactile device and a manual volume control are introduced, while the output of the manual control device is connected to the corresponding input of the second control circuit. _. the corresponding outputs of which are connected to the control inputs of the second encoder, the second radio transmitter and the tactile device, and the output of the digital-to-analog converter is connected to the input of the manual volume control, the output of which is connected to the input of the first amplifier.

Thus, this system contains an information unit (hereinafter referred to as the radio-informer) permanently installed at the urban infrastructure facility, transmitting at a predetermined frequency in digital form messages about the facility on which it is installed, and a wearable voice alert unit that reproduces in voice form these messages (hereinafter referred to as the subscriber unit). If the user needs to determine the direction of movement to the object, information about which he hears, then, by means of the subscriber's device, he sends a special encoded package to the radio informer. Upon receipt of this package, the radio informer, within a fixed time, delivers a sound orientation signal that allows the user to accurately determine the direction of movement towards the object. A tactile action device has been introduced into the subscriber’s device, with which the user's attention is attracted when he enters the coverage area of the radio informer. It is also possible, if necessary, to install one radio informator on one object with additional devices for supplying an audio orientation signal placed above the entrances to various premises of the object.

However, the known system has a number of significant disadvantages. When a user moves along a pedestrian route, the radio informants of stationary objects located along the route of his and the radio informants of vehicles passing by or at stops will create mutual radio interference.

When submitting a special encoded package for delivering a sound signal of orientation by a radio informant of a vehicle selected by a user, if, after this choice appears, in the coverage area of a subscriber unit of a radio informator installed on another vehicle, this parcel can be received by both radio informants mi, they can simultaneously give orientation signals, which will lead to disorientation of the user.

Real-time transmission and playback of a message may, with significant fluctuations in the level of the radio signal, not provide sufficient reception stability.

Also, when transmitting and playing messages in real time, the user can start listening not from the beginning of the message, but from any fragment of it, which can lead to disorientation of the user and / or increase the time for perceiving information.

The invention solves the problem of creating a new technology for informing and orienting the visually impaired and an improved system for its implementation, protected from mutual radio interference created by several radio informants located along the route of the disabled person, eliminating his disorientation and providing a fairly stable message reception.

Disclosure of invention

A method of informing and orienting the visually impaired, in which each of the stationary radio informants (CP) installed on stationary objects (CO) regularly sends to the radio air a group of identical digital data packets (CPDs) containing, including, a compressed sound file (SPF) with by voice message (PC) about the CO on which this CP is installed, as well as the personal data of this CP, each of the transport radio informants (TP) installed on the vehicles (TS) regularly transmit to the radio broadcast a group of identical digital Kets data (DPC), including, including a compressed sound file (SPF) with a voice message (URS) about the TS on which this TP is installed, as well as personal data of this TP, moreover, the transmission / reception of information by each CP is performed at a fixed radio frequency and transmission / reception of information produced by each TP on a fixed radio frequency f _2, wearable each subscriber unit (SU) receiving the group CPE via radio, with the beginning of the group receiving the CPE to attract attention affect the user's short vibration signal is set to Oshima UE corresponding to a radio frequency transmit / receive - or f _2, depending on the selected each user individually type radioinformatora - CP or TP, is isolated from the group the correct CPE, this CPE recovered personal data radioinformatora - source group identical CPE, also from CPP recovered SMA and convert it into an analog voice message, reproduce this message from the very beginning, and, at the moment the user listens to the message about the required CO or the vehicle he needs, at the user's command through the wearable The AU is sent to the radio, at the set frequency - fi or f ₂ , containing the personal data of the radio information being listened to, a special digital call (CPV), upon receipt of which a short-term sound orientation signal is sent by this radio information device.

The information and orientation system for the visually impaired that implements the above method comprises stationary radio information devices (CPs) installed on stationary objects, each of which includes a first radio antenna, a first storage unit of a compressed sound file, NWF connected in series), the first the unit for generating and storing a digital data packet (DPC), and operating at a frequency and connected to the first radio antenna of the first transceiver, also includes the first processing unit connected in series and information storage, a first device for generating an audio orientation signal and a first device for reproducing an audio orientation signal, the output of the first transceiver being connected to the input of the first information processing and storage unit, and all units and CP devices connected to the first control unit and the first power supply unit, also containing mounted on vehicles (TS) transport radio informants (TP), each of which includes a second radio antenna, a second storage unit of a compressed audio file, a second unit for generating and storing a digital data packet, and working at a frequency f ₂ and connected to a second radio antenna of a second the transceiver also includes serially connected a second unit for processing and storing information, a second device for generating an audio signal of orientation and a second device for reproducing an audio signal of orientation moreover, the output of the second transceiver is connected to the input of the second information processing and storage unit, and all TP units and devices are connected to the second control unit and the second power supply unit, which also contains wearable subscriber devices (AU) located at the system users - visually impaired, each of which includes a tactile device, serially connected to the first control unit of the frequency of reception / transmission and the third transceiver operating at frequencies f t and f ₂ and a subconnect In addition to the third radio antenna, it also includes a third unit for processing and storing information, a unit for converting the compressed audio file into an analog voice message, and a voice information reproducing unit, the output of the third transceiver connected to the input of the third processing unit and stored information, the output of the manual control device is connected to the input of the voice information playback device, and a digital generation unit is connected to the input of the third transceiver making a call, while all the blocks and devices of the wearable AU are connected to the third control unit and the third power supply unit.

The technical result that can be obtained by implementing the set of essential features of the claimed invention is the creation of a new technology for orienting the visually impaired and a holistic system that provides for receiving and reproducing by a subscriber device located with the visually impaired when moving around the city and use of vehicles, operational sustainable identification of objects and information about them, including when the subscriber unit is in intersecting all areas of information devices located on closely located objects of various types - stationary objects technical data and vehicles, and guaranteed determination of the direction of movement specifically to the object selected by the user by the sound signal of orientation supplied by the device installed on it. This result is achieved by dividing the frequencies of reception / transmission of radio signals of information devices installed on objects of various types, increased speed and stability of the channel of reception and transmission of information due to compaction / decompression of transmitted / received information, transmission / reception information by a group of digital data packets with the subsequent extraction of the correct data packet from them, reproduction of information by a subscriber device from the very beginning, personalization of the source of a possible sound kovogo orientation signal.

Improving the noise immunity of the radio reception and the holistic reproduction by the subscriber’s device of a visually impaired visitor of messages from radio informers is achieved by incorporating the compressed sound file storage units (SPF), digital data packet generation and storage units (DPC) into the composition of the radio informers, and including radio informers and wearable control units of new control units, information processing and storage units, including the conversion of NWF into an analog voice message as a part of wearable control unit.

An increase in the noise immunity of a radio reception by a wearable AU, including when it is located in intersecting areas of operation of radio informants installed on stationary objects and radio informants installed on vehicles, is achieved by including a transmit / receive frequency control unit in the AM and including radio informers and portable control units for information processing and storage, new control units.

The radio informer supplies a sound orientation signal to determine the direction of movement specifically to a stationary object (CO) or vehicle (TS) chosen by a visually impaired person by achieving the inclusion of a central processing unit in the composition of the radio informers and the inclusion of new units in the composition of the radio informers and wearable control units control, inclusion in the composition of radio informers and wearable control units of information processing and storage, and inclusion in the composition of the control unit of the formation of a digital call (CPV). The best use of the invention

The invention is illustrated by drawings, where in FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system for informing and orienting the visually impaired, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a CP, in FIG. 3. is a block diagram of TP, in FIG. 4. - block diagram of a wearable AU.

The system includes installed on CO 1 CP 2 installed on the vehicle 3 TP 4, as well as wearable AU 5. CP 2 includes a first radio antenna 6, connected in series to the first block 7 storage of the NWF, the first block 8 of the formation and storage of the DPC, and operating at a frequency τΊ and connected to the first radio antenna 6, the first transceiver 9. The system also includes series-connected the first block 10 for processing and storing information, the first device 11 for generating an audio orientation signal and the first device 12 for reproducing audio Igna orientation, pri- than output of the first transceiver 9 is connected to the input of the first processing unit 10 and data storage. All CP units and devices are connected to the first control unit 13 and the first power supply unit 14.

TP 4 includes a second radio antenna 15, sequentially connected to a second NWF storage unit 16, a second CPC generation and storage unit 17, and operating at a frequency f ₂ and connected to the second radio antenna 15, the first transceiver 18, also includes a second block 19 connected in series processing and storing information, a second device 20 for generating an audio orientation signal, a second device 21 for reproducing an audio orientation signal, the output of the second transceiver 18 being connected to the input of the second Lok 19 processing and storing information. All TP units and devices are connected to the second control unit 22 and the second power supply unit 23

Wearable AU 5 includes a tactile device 24, a third radio antenna 25, serially connected unit 26 for controlling the frequency of reception / transmission and a third transceiver 27 operating at frequencies fi and f ₂ and connected to the third radio antenna 25, the output of which is connected to the third block 28 processing and storage of information. Block 28, block 29 for converting the compressed audio file into an analog voice message and the voice information reproducing apparatus 30 are connected in series. To the input of the device 30 is connected to a manual control device 31. To the input of the transceiver 27 is connected a block 32 for forming a CPU B, while all the blocks and devices of the wearable AU are connected to the third control unit 33 and the third power supply unit 34.

The claimed system implements the claimed method as follows.

Each CP 2.i installed on a stationary object CO ^. , where i is in the range from 1 to A, regularly transmits to the radio group a group of identical DPCs, each of which contains, including, NWF with PC about the CO on which this CP is installed, as well as personal data of this CP.

Each TP 4.j ,. installed on the vehicle 3J where j is in the range from 1 to

B, regularly transmits to the radio group a group of identical DPCs, each of which contains, including, NWF with a PC about the vehicle on which the TP is installed, as well as personal data of this TP.

The carrier radio frequencies at which the CP and TP DPCs are transmitted are spaced over the radio frequency range.

Groups of identical DPCs are received by the wearable AU 5. k, where k is in the range from 1 to C, which reproduces the voice message from the received DPC. The frequency of reception / transmission is set by the user in a portable AU 5, depending on the type of object, about which he wants to receive information - from CO or TS. If the user needs the particular CO or TS whose message he is listening to, then, using the wearable AU, the user sends to the radio informator installed on his chosen CO or TS, the CPV containing personal data of this radio informant, upon receipt of which the radio informant gives a sound orientation signal, allowing the visually impaired to determine the direction of movement he needs.

The command in AC 5 to transmit the CPV can be given by the user an unlimited number of times.

The interaction between CP, or TP, and AU 5 is as follows. CP 2.i in block 7 stores the NWF, which digitally contains the PC about the CO 1.ί, on which CP 2.i is installed. This NWF, upon command from block 13, is transferred to block 8, where the DPC is formed by adding the necessary service information to the NWF, including personalization of CP 2.i. Next, a group of identical JRCs formed in this way, by :. transmitter 9 and radio antennas 6, regularly, on command from block 13, is transmitted to the radio.

Block 3 also provides synchronization of the work of the remaining blocks of the CP. TP 4.j in block 16 stores the NWF, which contains in digital form a PC about the TS 3.j on which TP 4.j is installed. This NWF, upon command from block 22, is transferred to block 17 where the DPC is formed by adding the necessary service information to the NWF, including personalization TP 4.j. Next, a group of identical DPCs thus formed, by means of a transceiver 18 and a radio antenna 15, is regularly transmitted, on command from block 22, to the radio.

Block 22 also provides synchronization of the operation of the remaining TP blocks. The user, in the portable AC 5. k, through the device 31, through the block 33 gives a command to the block 26 to set the transceiver 27 of the transmit / receive radio frequency - fi or f ₂ , corresponding to the user-selected information reception mode - or from CP , or from TP, receives, with radio transceiver 27 connected to it, a group of identical DPCs from CP 2.i or TP 4.j, transmits this group of identical DPCs to block 28 connected to the transceiver 27, where the correct one is allocated from the group of identical DPCs The JRC, from which, in particular, are extracted -functional data source informa- tion - CP i 2 or TP 4.j, and also STP, after which the SMA goes to block 29 where the SMA demultiplexes and converted to an analog voice message which is transferred in a given device 30, which is reproduced. The volume of the device 30 is controlled by the device 31 connected to it. Block 33 also provides synchronization of the operation of the remaining blocks and devices of the portable AC 5.

With the beginning of receiving a group of identical CPUs, the device 24 periodically gives a short-term vibration signal to attract the user's attention.

If the user needs the CO 1.i, or the TS 3.j, the message about which is reproduced in the wearable AU 5.k, in the wearable AU 5.k, through the device 31, through block 33, gives a command to the block 32 to receive from the block 28 of personal data of the corresponding CP 2.i or TP 4.j, the formation of the CPV with this data, the transmission of this CPV to the receiver in series with the block 32 a transmitter 27, which transmits this CPV through the radio antenna 25 to the radio air at the receive / transmit radio frequency - or f _2, set by side 26.

If the operation is carried out with CP 2.i, the CPV is received by the radio antenna 6 and the transceiver 9, transmitted to block 10, identified in it as a request signal for the orientation sound signal precisely by this CP 2.i, block 13 gives the command for the sound signal orientation in the device 11, which is connected in series with the device 12, which provides a sound orientation signal.

If work is carried out with TP 4J, the CPV is received by the radio antenna 15 and transceiver 18 TP 4.j, transmitted to block 19, is identified in it as a request signal for the orientation sound signal precisely by this TP 4.j, block 22 gives the command for the sound signal orientation to the device 20, which is connected in series with the device 21, which gives the sound signal orientation.

The CP 2 is powered by connecting all the CP 2 units and devices to block 14. The TP 4 is powered by connecting all the TP units and units to unit 24. The wearable AU 5 is powered by connecting all the units and wearable AU devices to unit 34.

All blocks of the structural diagram of the claimed system are known in the art and are mass-produced. For example, control units, units for generating and storing digital data packets, units for processing and storing information and devices for generating an audio orientation signal are based on Atmel single-chip microcontrollers manufactured by Atmel, transceivers are based on Si4421 single-chip transceivers manufactured by Silicon Labs, a digital clock calendar for the control unit - based on the Dallas Semiconductor DS1340 chip, compressed audio file storage units - based on the AT25DF321 Flash memory chip Atmel company’s equipment, the electro-acoustic transducer of radio informers and additional units for supplying the sound signal of orientation is a WAST 25 piezoelectric transducer manufactured by EAST, the electro-acoustic transducer of a subscriber’s device is a Zhenglong Electronic dynamic head YD 50-02, QX-6A-1 vibration motor manufactured by QX Motor. The declared system of informing and orienting the visually impaired provides a stable reception of messages, is protected from mutual radio interference created by several radio informants located along the route of the disabled person, eliminates his disorientation and provides the visually impaired person with much more freedom to move around the city and use public transport .

Claims

Claim

1. A method of informing and orienting the visually impaired, in which each of the stationary radio informants (CP) installed at stationary objects (CO) regularly broadcasts a group of identical digital data packets (CPS) to the radio air, including, among other things, a compressed sound file (SPF) ) with a speech message (PC) about the CO on which this CP is installed, as well as the personal data of this CP, each of the transport radio informants (TP) installed on vehicles (TS) regularly transmit a group of identical digital data packets (CPS), including, including a compressed sound file (SPF) with a voice message (URS) about the TS on which this TP is installed, as well as personal data of this TP, and the transmission / reception of information by each CP is performed on fixed radio frequency f _(and transmission / reception of information by each TP produce at a fixed radio frequency f _2, wearable each subscriber unit (SU) receiving the group CPE via radio, with the beginning of the group receiving the CPE to attract attention affect the user's short vibration signal, rehydrating a wearable UE corresponding to a radio frequency transmission / reception - fi and f _2, depending on the selected each user individually type radioinformatora - CP or TP, is isolated from the group the correct CPE, this CPE recovered personal data radioinformatora - source group identical CPE, also from The DPCs extract the NWF and convert it into an analog voice message, reproduce this message from the very beginning, and, when the user listens to the message about the required CO or the vehicle he needs, at the user's command COROLLARY wearable UE sent on the radio to the frequency selected - or f ₂ containing personal data radioinformatora listening to the special digital sending call (CPV), upon which it is fed radioinformatorom intermittent sound orientation signal.

2. A system for informing and orienting the visually impaired, which includes stationary radio information devices (CP) installed on stationary objects, each of which includes a first radio antenna, subsequently connected to a first storage unit for a compressed audio file, the first unit for generating and storing a digital data packet, and operating at a frequency ^ and connected to the first radio antenna, the first transceiver also includes serially connected the first unit for processing and storing information, the first device for generating an audio orientation signal and the first device for reproducing an audio signal of orientation - with the output of the first transceiver connected to the input of the first processing unit and storing information, and all the blocks and CP devices connected to the first unit at board and the first power supply unit, also containing transport radio information devices (TP) installed on vehicles, each of which includes a second radio antenna, sequentially connected to a second compressed audio file storage unit, a second digital data packet generation and storage unit , and operating at a frequency f ₂ and connected to a second radio antenna, a second transceiver also includes a second processing and storage unit in series, the second device is formed an audio orientation signal and a second device for reproducing an audio orientation signal, wherein the output of the second transceiver is connected to the input of the second information processing and storage unit, and all units and TP devices are connected to the second control unit and the second power supply unit, also containing wearable subscriber units ( AU), located at the users of the system - visually impaired, each of which includes a tactile device, serially connected to the first control unit Lenia frequency prie- mA / transmission and a third transceiver operating at frequencies fi and f _2, and connectable to the union of the third radio antenna also includes sequentially soedinen- nye third processing unit and storing information conversion unit szhato- th audio file into an analog voice message and a voice information reproducing device, wherein the output of the third transceiver is connected to the input of the third information processing and storage unit, the output of the manual control device is connected to the input of the playback device voice information, and a digital call forming unit is connected to the input of the third transceiver, while all the blocks and devices of the wearable AU are connected to the third control unit and the third power supply unit.