On the smart haptic handle of a white cane

Abstract

On a removable handle that attaches by ring to a white cane with obstacle detection and haptic feedback, characterized in that it comprises a main housing which contains a series of proximity detectors (11B, 11H) which perform obstacle sightings (VB, VH) transmitted to a computer (30) which processes them to isolate targeted feedback from vibrators (VL, VH) in external vibrator housings (BL, BF), positioned respectively under the user's thumb and along the user's index finger, the haptic feedback from vibrators (VL, VB) is doubly isolated from the main housing (10) by vibration isolation, with a first external isolation (17) which physically separates the vibrator housings (BL, BF) from the main housing, and a second internal vibration isolation (37) which isolates the housing vibrator (VL, VF) in its housing vibrator (BL, BF). Figure for abbreviation: Fig. 5

Description

Title of the invention: On a smart haptic handle of a white cane

[0001] The present invention relates to an intelligent white cane handle.

[0002] By handle it is understood, a functional utensil which is attached to a cane at the level of the handle and which is intended to be in contact with the hand which holds the cane.

[0003] By intelligent and haptic, it is understood that an over-handle provides a haptic detection and warning function for the presence of obstacles. Obstacles that may be in the path of the cane and that of the user holding the cane.

[0004] By white cane, we mean a cane for visually impaired and / or blind people. The invention aims to provide an additional function, known as intelligent detection and warning.

[0005] A primary objective is to provide a walking stick with an advanced obstacle detection and warning function. Several detection systems exist, such as PCT / CN2021076403. These systems are not effective at precisely alerting the user to the geolocation of obstacles.

[0006] A main object of the invention is to provide precise geolocation of obstacles approaching the user and cane assembly. The user is warned and can distinguish in advance, by means of the invention, obstacles on the ground, at mid-height, or at height.

[0007] An object of the invention is to interact with the functions of the user's mobile phone to enrich the experience and couple the advanced detection functions with other functions provided by the mobile phone.

[0008] One object of the invention is to provide a removable system that can be easily attached to any white cane.

[0009] One object of the invention is to propose a solution that is precise, reliable, and robust.

[0010] An object of the invention is to propose a solution that can be industrialized at cost prices that allow for viable commercial exploitation.

[0011] One object of the invention is to offer an intuitive, easy and quick way to get to grips with it.

[0012] In a main aspect the invention proposes an intelligent handle whose particular electromechanical cooperation allows the user to finely distinguish several spatiotemporal information detected by different well-designed sensors then processed by an intelligent computer and finally returned to the user by different vibrators with localized vibrations well isolated from each other.

[0013] In a particular aspect of the invention, several housings cooperate together. These housings are electrically and mechanically connected while being vibrationally isolated. This solution aims to transmit precise vibration information to precise locations without the different vibrations interfering or overlapping.

[0014] In a particular aspect, a first housing is positioned under the user's thumb and a second housing is positioned along the user's index finger.

[0015] The invention will be better understood upon reading the accompanying figures, in which:

[0016] - [Fig.1] represents a diagram of a situation involving the use of a white cane

[0017] - [Fig.2] represents the adaptation of the invention for use with a white cane

[0018] - [Fig.3] represents a side view of the invention

[0019] - [Fig.4] shows a top view of the invention

[0020] - [Fig.5] represents a schematic diagram of the integration of the electronics in the mechanical

[0021] [Fig. 1] represents a situation with a user holding a white cane (1), who encounters several obstacles (O) along their path. Some are positioned at ground level and others at a height. The invention aims to inform the user of the obstacles in their path. The invention enhances the experience of the inert white cane, which only detects ground-level obstacles, by now enabling, through the intelligent function of the invention, the detection of obstacles at height and mid-height. An obstacle at height would be, for example, an open shutter of a house located in the path of the user walking on the sidewalk. This shutter is never detected by a simple, traditional white cane.

[0022] - [Fig. 2] represents the adaptation of the invention for use with a white cane. This- This is positioned at the top of the cane, at the level of the hand grip. In this particular version, it includes a high aiming cone (HV) that will target obstacles (O) high in front of the cane (1), and a low aiming cone (LV) that will target obstacles (O) at mid-height, down to the ground. Of course, other, more elaborate aiming combinations are possible, and this one is given as an example of a basic first use.

[0023] - [Fig.3] shows a side view of the invention, which is a utensil that attaches by means of a known type of retaining device (20) with a band around the top of the cane (1). The device is attached to the front of the cane (10) so that it can be aimed in front of the cane (1) in the direction of the user's movement. The invention comprises a main housing (10) to which a lateral vibrator housing (BL) and a frontal vibrator housing (BF) are attached. By positioning it on the cane, the lateral vibrator housing (BL) naturally comes into contact along the user's index finger, and the frontal vibrator housing (BF) is in contact under the user's thumb. The main housing (10) is a generally rectangular housing with the subtle feature of its sighting faces (FB, FH) designed to hold proximity sensors (11B, 11H) which aim within a sighting cone whose respective principal sighting axes are perpendicular to the sighting face to which they belong. Typically, the cane being held by the user during normal walking at an average angle of 45° to the vertical, the lower sighting face (FB) of the housing (10) is oriented at 45° to the lateral surface, which, when fixed to the cane, provides on average a horizontal lower sighting axis (VB) during walking, which corresponds to good detection of low or mid-height obstacles.The upper sighting face (FH) of the housing (10) is oriented at 90° to the lateral surface of the housing (10). When mounted on the pole, this results in an average upward sighting axis (VH) of approximately 45° during operation, which corresponds to good detection of tall obstacles. Depending on the characteristics and number of sights, these angles can, of course, be modified. A preferred embodiment is simply described herein.

[0024] - [Fig. 4] shows a top view of the invention. The vibrating side housings (BL) and front (BF) components are attached to the main housing (10) by means of known screw-type fasteners (18), but remain separated from the main housing (10) by a vibration-damping layer (17). A set of adjustment buttons (15) is located on the side face accessible by the thumb. In an alternative configuration, some buttons may also be positioned on the top face of the housing (10) to allow the user to make the necessary adjustments. These buttons are easily accessible by the fingers holding the cane, preferably the thumb, but can also be operated by the fingers of the user's other hand on the top face.

[0025] - [Fig.5] represents a schematic diagram of the integration principle of the electronics in The mechanism. The main housing (10) contains an electronic control board (30) powered by a mains socket (33) which can recharge an internal battery. Each vibrator housing (BL, BF) contains a housing vibrator (VL, VB). The electronic control board (30) jointly controls the proximity sensors (1 IB, 11H) and the housing vibrators (VL, VF). The housing vibrators (VL, VF) are connected to the electronic control board (30) by electrical connections (31, 32). This electrical connection may include a removable mechanical rod-type link connected to springs known as pogo pins, the male and female parts of which are mounted on the opposite removable housings. A key feature of the invention is that the housing vibrators (VL, VF) are doubly isolated from the main housing (10) by vibration isolation.A first external isolation (17) which physically separates the vibrator boxes (BL, BF) from the main box, and a second. Internal vibration isolation (37) isolates the housing vibrator (VL, VF) within its respective vibrator housing (BL, BF). The vibration of the vibrators is intended to be felt only on the outer wall under the user's fingers. It is therefore understood that the invention isolates the vibration of the two vibrators in such a way that these vibrations can be independently felt locally by the user but cannot be transmitted to the main housing and interfere with each other. In this way, the device allows the user to have a precise, fine sensation on each of their fingers to effectively isolate the respective vibrations of each vibrator (VL, VF), which are emitted respectively in response to the detection of obstacles by the proximity sensors and the processing of this information by the electronic control board.The electronic control board (30) is located below the adjustment buttons (15), allowing the user to fine-tune the haptic detection and feedback parameters they wish to obtain.

[0026] The present invention therefore relates to a removable handle attached by means of a strap (20) to a white cane (1) with obstacle detection (O) and haptic feedback, characterized in that it comprises a main housing (10) which contains a series of proximity sensors (11B, 11H) that perform obstacle detection (VB, VH) transmitted to a computer (30) which processes them to isolate targeted vibration feedback (VL, VH) in external vibration units (BL, BF), positioned respectively under the user's thumb and along the user's index finger. The haptic vibration feedback (VL, VB) is doubly isolated from the main housing (10) by vibration isolation, with a first external isolation (17) which physically separates the vibration units (BL, BF) from the main housing, and a second internal vibration isolation. (37) which isolates the housing vibrator (VL, VF) in its vibrator housing (BL, BF).

[0027] The present invention therefore relates to a removable handle for a white cane (1) characterized in that the main housing (10) is a housing of generally rectangular shape with sighting faces (FB, FH) intended to hold proximity sensors (1 IB, 11H) which aim in a sighting cone whose respective principal sighting axes are perpendicular to the sighting face, the lower sighting face (FB) of the housing (10) is oriented at 45° with respect to the lateral surface of the main housing (10), the upper sighting face (FH) of the housing (10) is oriented at 90° with respect to the lateral surface of the housing (10).

[0028] The present invention therefore relates to a white cane handle (1) characterized in that the calculator (30) interacts wirelessly with the user's mobile phone for data sharing.

[0029] Other variants of the invention, by equivalent or extrapolation, are obviously covered herein without requiring a detailed description. In particular, the following variants:

[0030] The haptic blocks intended to be positioned under the thumb and along the index finger of the user may have different shapes and sizes in order to optimally adapt to the morphology of the hand of different users, including but not limited to children and adults, thus allowing a personalization which improves the comfort and efficiency of use.

[0031] Haptic blocks can be used in applications other than those initially intended, thus opening the way to a wide range of practical uses both in the field of mobility aids for visually impaired or blind people, and in other fields requiring precise and localized haptic communication, such as guidance in complex environments, education, video games, professional training simulating specific environments, or any other application requiring enhanced tactile interaction between the user and the environment or system concerned.

[0032] Haptic blocks are designed to function not only individually or in pairs to provide a representation of two specific points in the environment, as described in the previous applications, but they can also be used in groups of several units. This configuration allows for a more complex and nuanced representation of the environment, depending on the level of detail and projection desired by the user. This flexibility in the use of haptic blocks allows for precise adaptation to different applications, ranging from simple guidance to more developed and detailed haptic mapping of the immediate environment, thus offering increased personalization of the user experience according to the user's specific needs.

[0033] Haptic blocks, while providing at a minimum precise and localized haptic feedback, are also designed to integrate a variety of additional input devices and sensors, depending on the specific needs of the application and the context of use. These elements may include, but are not limited to, interactive user interfaces such as buttons or touch surfaces, as well as sensors capable of measuring a wide range of physical or environmental parameters. The inherent modularity of haptic blocks thus allows for advanced customization of the user experience, by adjusting the active functionalities of the blocks according to the application scenarios: from simple haptic feedback to more complex interactions, including data collection and interactive control.This approach ensures optimal adaptation of the invention to the varied requirements of users and environments, consolidating its value as a versatile tool for assistance and interaction.

Claims

Demands

1. A removable handle attached by a strap (20) to a white cane (1) with obstacle detection (O) and haptic feedback, characterized in that it comprises a main unit (10) housing a series of proximity sensors (1 IB, 11H) which perform obstacle sightings (VB, VH) transmitted to a computer (30) which analyzes them to detect the presence of obstacles and which, in active response, activates vibrators (VL, VH) in external vibrator units (BL, BF), positioned respectively under the user's thumb and along the user's index finger. The haptic feedback (VL, VB) is doubly isolated from the main unit (10) by vibration isolation, with a first external isolation (17) which physically separates the vibrator units (BL, BF) from the main unit, and a second internal vibration isolation. (37) which isolates the housing vibrator (VL, VF) in its respective vibrator housing (BL, BF).

2. On a white cane handle (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the main housing (10) is a housing of generally rectangular shape with a side called the lateral surface of the housing (10) and other faces comprising sighting faces (FB, FH) intended to hold proximity sensors (1 IB, 11H) which aim in a sighting cone whose respective principal sighting axes are perpendicular to the sighting face, the lower sighting face (FB) of the housing (10) is oriented at 45° with respect to the lateral surface of the main housing (10), the upper sighting face (FH) of the housing (10) is oriented at 90° with respect to the lateral surface of the housing (10).

3. On a white cane handle (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the calculator (30) is in wireless interaction with the user's mobile phone for data sharing.

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