# US 9,433,552 B2 · Electric walking assistant device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,552 B2 - Document ID: US9433552B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/761,576 - Filed: 2014-01-16 - Published: 2015-12-17 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-17 - Assignees: LG Electronics Inc. - Applicants: LG Electronics Inc. - Inventors: Yoonyoung Chang; Honggul Jun; Jaehark Park; Duksang Kim; Eulpyo Hong; Gyunghwan Yuk; Jungsik Kim; Byungju Dan; Hongsoo Park; Byeongrim Jo; Byunghoon Min; Sangho Yoon; Heuisik Seo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433552B2 ## CPC - A61H 3/04: Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons - A61G 5/04: motor-driven (A61G5/06 takes precedence; motor-operated rests A61G5/12; for vehicles with handlebars, equipped with three or more wheels B62K5/003, B62K5/023) - A61G 5/1094: {Tables, working plates or trays} - A61G 5/128: {for feet} - A61G 5/14: Standing-up or sitting-down aids - A61G 2203/14: Joysticks - A61G 2203/70: with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort - A61H 2003/043: {with a drive mechanism} - A61H 2003/046: {with braking means} - A61H 2201/0161: Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport - A61H 2201/0173: Means for preventing injuries - A61H 2201/0192: Specific means for adjusting dimensions - A61H 2201/1215: Rotary drive - A61H 2201/1633: Seat (A61H2201/0149 takes precedence) - A61H 2201/1635: Hand or arm, e.g. handle - A61H 2201/5043: Displays - A61H 2201/5048: Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled - A61H 2201/5061: Force sensors - A61H 2201/5084: Acceleration sensors - A61H 2201/5092: Optical sensor - G01S 15/02: using reflection of acoustic waves (G01S15/66 takes precedence) - G01S 17/08: for measuring distance only (indirect measurement G01S17/46; active triangulation systems G01S17/48) - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) - 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) - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES ## Abstract An electromotive walking assistance device includes a drive unit including a plurality of wheels and a motor for driving at least on portion of the plurality of wheels, a sensor unit sensing a distance from a user, a manipulation unit sensing a user's manipulation, and a controller controlling the motor based on a signal of the distance from the user and a signal of the user's manipulation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electromotive walking assistance device, comprising: a drive unit configured to include a plurality of wheels and a motor for driving at least on portion of the plurality of wheels; a sensor unit configured to sense a distance between a user and the device; a manipulation unit comprising a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure applied to the manipulation unit by the user; and a controller configured to drive the motor according to the pressure applied by the user, wherein the controller drives the motor when the pressure applied by the user is beyond a specific range and the wheels are moved by the motor such that the distance between the user and the device keeps a predetermined value while the motor is driven by the controller, and wherein the controller does not drive the motor when the pressure applied by the user is within the specific range and the wheels are moved by the user's manipulation while the motor is not driven. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electromotive walking assistance device of claim 1, wherein the sensor unit includes at least one of an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a laser displacement sensor (LDS). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electromotive walking assistance device of claim 1, wherein the drive is any one of a first drive for stopping the motor and a second drive for driving the motor such that the electromotive walking assistance device moves toward the user when the distance from the user is greater than a predetermined value. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The electromotive walking assistance device of claim 3, wherein the one drive is determined based on a variation in the distance from the user. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electromotive walking assistance device of claim 1, wherein the drive is any one of the first drive for stopping the motor and a third drive for driving the motor such that the electromotive walking assistance device is moved away from the user when the distance from the user is smaller than the predetermined value. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The electromotive walking assistance device of claim 5, wherein the one drive is determined based on a variation in the distance from the user. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electromotive walking assistance device of claim 1, further comprising: an output unit configured to output a signal transmitted from the controller; and a communication unit configured to transmit information to the outside under control of the controller. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The electromotive walking assistance device of claim 7, wherein the controller transmits a posture guide signal to the output unit when the magnitude of the pressure applied by the user is within the specific range and when the distance from the user is out of a predetermined range. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The electromotive walking assistance device of claim 8, wherein the predetermined range is set based on an average of distances from the user, which have been measured when the electromotive walking assistance device is used. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The electromotive walking assistance device of claim 7, wherein the sensor unit includes: a first distance sensor configured to measure a distance from a portion of a user's body; and a second distance sensor configured to measure a distance from another portion of the user's body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The electromotive walking assistance device of claim 10, wherein the controller transmits a transmission signal to the communication unit when any user's response is received within a predetermined time after the emergency notification signal is output through the output unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The electromotive walking assistance device of claim 7, wherein the controller transmits an emergency notification signal to the output unit when any user's manipulation is not sensed by the measurement sensor and when the distance from the user is greater than the predetermined value.