User-driven active guidance system
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Michigan
InventorJohann Borenstein
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A user-driven, active guidance system for guiding visually impaired users through obstacle filled routes of travel. The system includes an obstacle detection system, having an array of ultrasonic sensors, which detects the distance to and location of obstacles and a controller for receiving obstacle data and determining an optimal path around the obstacle so as to return the user back to the original path of travel without losing orientation or direction. The system provides active guidance by exerting physical force upon the user to intuitively direct the user around the obstacle. The system is driven by the user's motion and comprises a cane, as well as the my of ultrasonic sensors and controller supported on a pair of guide wheels.
Claims24
A user-driven, active guidance system for guiding a user through a field of operation having obstacles thereon, said system comprising:
- sensor means for detecting an obstacle and for generating an obstacle indication signal indicative of a position of said obstacle;
- a controller coupled to said sensor means for receiving said obstacle, indication signal, determining a path around said obstacle and generating a steering signal indicative of said path around said obstacle;
- a frame having a handle portion adaptable to be held by the user;
- a wheel assembly having a wheel configured such that motion provided by the user is used to drive the system, said wheel assembly being operably connected to said frame and being rotatable around a steering axis;
- steering means coupled to said controller for receiving said steering signal and operably connected to said wheel assembly for rotating said wheel assembly about said steering axis in response to said steering signal in order to guide said system along said path around said obstacle;
- the system being configured such that rotation of said wheel assembly causes said handle portion of said frame to exert a force on the user indicative of said path around said obstacle.
The system of claim I further comprising a wall sensor operably connected to said frame, aimed in a direction perpendicular to said handle portion, and coupled to said controller, said wall sensor for detecting the presence of a wall adjacent to said system, said controller configured to control said steering means to steer said system in a path along said wall.
A user-driven guidance system for guiding a user through a field of operation having obstacles thereon, said system comprising:
- an array of ultrasonic sensors configured to send and receive ultrasonic signals for detecting an obstacle and to generate an obstacle indication signal indicative of a position of said obstacle;
- a microprocessor coupled to said array of ultrasonic sensors for receiving said obstacle indication signal, said microprocessor adapted to run software algorithms for processing said obstacle indication signal to determine a path around said obstacle and for generating a steering signal indicative of said path around said obstacle;
- a cane having a handle portion adaptable to be held by the user;
- a wheel assembly operably connected to said cane and rotatable about a steering axis, said wheel assembly having a pair of wheels configured to rotate about a rotation axis in response to horizontal force applied to said cane by the user;
- steering means coupled to said microprocessor for receiving said steering signal and operably connected to said wheel assembly for rotating said wheel assembly about said steering axis in response to said steering signal in order to guide said system along said path around said obstacle;
- the system being configured such that rotation of said wheel assembly causes said cane to exert a force on the user indicative of said path around said obstacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.