# US 2014/0191489 A1 · Early warning method and device for preventing wheelchair from tipping over > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191489 A1 - Document ID: US20140191489A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/015,584 - Filed: 2013-08-30 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08 - Assignees: National Taiwan University - Applicants: National Taiwan University - Inventors: Shih-Chung Kang; Pei-Chun Lin; Yung-Shun Su; Ci-Jyun Liang; Pei-Yi Lee; Yao-Yu Yang; Kevin Lin; Chuan-En Lee - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191489A1 ## CPC - A61G 5/10: Parts, details or accessories - A61G 5/1089: {Anti-tip devices} - G05D 1/024: {in combination with a laser (lasers per se H01S)} - G08B 21/02: Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons - A61G 5/02: propelled by the patient or disabled person - A61G 2203/72: for collision prevention - A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00) - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract An early warning method and a device for preventing a wheelchair from tipping over are described. The early warning method includes projecting a laser light pattern, scanning the laser light pattern, making a comparison to determine whether the ground is a barrier terrain, and issuing an early warning to the user in situations of risk. The laser light pattern is projected onto the ground and compared with a standard pattern. The early warning is generated and is one selected from a group consisting of a beep, a warning message and a vibration to alert the wheelchair user to the danger of the barrier terrain. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An early warning method for preventing a wheelchair from tipping over, comprising: projecting a laser light pattern on a ground; scanning the laser light pattern; comparing the laser light pattern with a standard pattern; determining whether the ground is a barrier terrain; and generating an early warning being one selected from the group consisting of a beep, a warning message and a vibration to prevent the wheelchair from entering the barrier terrain. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of using an applet to compare the laser light pattern with the standard pattern. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of fixing on the wheelchair a laser light generator projecting the laser light pattern and an image sensor that scans the laser light pattern. ### Claim 4 An early warning device for preventing a wheelchair from tipping over, and determining whether a ground is a barrier terrain, comprising: a laser light generator projecting a laser light pattern on the ground; an image sensor scanning the laser light pattern; and an operation unit having a comparing applet installed therein and comparing the laser light pattern with a standard pattern for determining whether the ground is a barrier terrain such that the early warning device generates an early warning being one selected from the group consisting of a beep, a warning message and a vibration to prevent the wheelchair from entering the barrier terrain. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A device according to claim 4, wherein the laser light generator projects plural dots of light to detect the barrier terrain. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A device according to claim 4, wherein the wheelchair has a back and the device comprises an attaching piece attaching thereto a bag on the back. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) A device according to claim 4, wherein the wheelchair and the device have a magnet and an iron mounted thereon respectively, and the device is fixed to the wheelchair by the attracting force between the magnet and the iron. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) A device according to claim 4, wherein the image sensor is mounted on a smartphone. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A device according to claim 8, further comprising a front groove to mount the smartphone thereon, and the smartphone is used to generate the early warning being one selected from the group consisting of a beep, a warning message and a vibration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A device according to claim 8, further comprising a rear groove to mount the smartphone thereon. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) A device according to claim 4, further comprising a space to set therein the image sensor. ### Claim 12 A wheelchair, comprising: a wheelchair body near a ground; a miniature operation perceiving device mounted on the wheelchair body, and perceiving whether the ground is a specific terrain. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A wheelchair according to claim 12, wherein the miniature operation perceiving device comprises a laser light generator and an image sensor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A wheelchair according to claim 13, wherein the laser light generator projects a pattern, and the image sensor scans the pattern. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A wheelchair according to claim 13, further comprising an attaching piece to attach thereto the laser light generator and the image sensor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A wheelchair according to claim 15, wherein the attaching piece comprises a container to hold the image sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A wheelchair according to claim 16, wherein the attaching piece comprises a cover disposed on the container to attach thereto the image sensor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) A wheelchair according to claim 12, wherein the wheelchair is ridden by a user. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A wheelchair according to claim 18, wherein the miniature operation perceiving device is a terrain detector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A wheelchair according to claim 19, wherein the terrain detector generates a warning to the user through one being selected from the group consisting of a beep, a warning message and a vibration.