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US 12,745,058 B2Granted
Visual assistance system
OwnerAarna Raghavapudi, Shivani Jambunathan +1inventors
InventorsAarna Raghavapudi, Shivani Jambunathan, Ryan Cho
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A visual assistance system or distance and location detection system is provided. The system comprises a sensor detecting distance of objects in a user's path and alerting the user when an object is within a designated proximity to the user. The system further comprises a location detection system using GPS technology that tracks the user's location and issues an alert to the user or other individual when the user's location exceeds the boundaries of a designated safe zone.
Claims20
A visual assistance system for visually impaired individuals consisting of:
- (a) a shoe;
- (b) a plurality of ultrasonic distance-detection sensors affixed to the shoe, wherein at least one ultrasonic distance-detection sensor is located at the front of the shoe and at least one ultrasonic distance-detection sensor is located on the side or heel of the shoe;
- (c) a programmable location detection system comprising a global-positioning system module in the interior of the shoe;
- (d) a programmable microcontroller in the interior of the shoe and configured to coordinate real-time data processing from both the plurality of ultrasonic distance-detection sensors and the programmable location detection system;
- (e) an alert system in the interior of the shoe and in communication with both the plurality of ultrasonic distance-detection sensors and the programmable location detection system, wherein the alert system provides vibrational alerts directly to a user of the shoe based on inputs from both the plurality of ultrasonic distance-detection sensors and the programmable location detection system;
- (f) an antenna configured for global-positioning system satellite communication;
- and
- (g) optionally, a power source.
5 more elements
A safety alert shoe for visually impaired individuals consisting of:
- (a) a shoe;
- (b) a plurality of ultrasonic distance-detection sensors wherein at least one ultrasonic distance-detection sensor is located at the front of the shoe and at least one ultrasonic distance-detection sensor is located on the side or heel of the shoe;
- (c) a programmable location detection system in the interior of the shoe and comprising a global-positioning system module integrated with the shoe;
- (d) a programmable microcontroller in the interior of the shoe and configured to process real-time data from the plurality of ultrasonic distance-detection sensors and the programmable location detection system;
- (e) a vibrational alert system in the interior of the shoe and in communication with both the plurality of ultrasonic distance-detection sensors and the programmable location detection system and configured to alert the user wearing the shoe through coordinated processing of data from the plurality of ultrasonic distance-detection sensors and the programmable location detection system;
- (f) an antenna integrated with the shoe for global-positioning system communication;
- and
- (g) optionally, one or more connection wires for connecting the programmable microcontroller to the plurality of ultrasonic distance-detection sensors.
5 more elements
A method of providing assistance to a visually impaired individual consisting of:
- (a) sensing if an object is within a designated proximity from the individual using a plurality of ultrasonic distance-detection sensors positioned on a shoe worn by the individual, wherein at least one ultrasonic distance-detection sensor is located at the front of the shoe and at least one ultrasonic distance-detection sensor is located on the side or heel of the shoe, and the designated proximity is less than 450 centimeters;
- (b) monitoring the individual's location using a programmable location detection system comprising a global-positioning system module integrated with the interior of the shoe;
- (c) coordinating real-time data from both the plurality of ultrasonic distance-detection sensors and the programmable location detection system using a programmable microcontroller in the interior of the shoe;
- (d) notifying an alert system in the interior of the shoe based on real-time data from both the plurality of ultrasonic distance-detection sensors and the programmable location detection system;
- (e) alerting the individual wearing the shoe using a vibration based on the processing of data from both the plurality of ultrasonic distance-detection sensors and the programmable location detection system;
- and
- (f) optionally, establishing a designated safe zone by recording global-positioning system coordinates at four boundary corners using at least one of a mobile application, global-positioning system technology, or an Internet-based map website.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.