AN SMART WALKING CANE WITH A SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM THAT INCREASES ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND IS SUITABLE FOR ALL BODY SIZES

Abstract

The present invention relates to a walking stick used by people with disabilities when walking, and in particular to a smart walking stick with a monitoring system that increases environmental awareness and is suitable for any body size, characterized in that it comprises a body (1) containing at least one downward-facing hole (1.1), a telescopic tube (2) that extends into the body (1) and can move telescopically, a spring pin (3) that ensures the fixation of the telescopic tube (2), an NFC tag reader (5) that reads the tags on the ground and transmits the information on the tag to the microcontroller (6), a camera (9) that monitors interactions and obstacles in the environment, an image processing module (10) that processes the data from the camera (9) and then transmits it to the microcontroller (6), and at least one ultrasonic sensor (11).which generates a signal depending on a predetermined distance, a microcontroller (6) that converts the data it processes into an output, a buzzer (12) that transmits sound signals as sound to the external environment, a GPS module (8) that ensures the flow of information by sending the person's location information along with the signals received from space to the microcontroller (6), an RGB color module (7) that, as a result of the information coming from the sensor (11), switches on a red light when an obstacle is approaching and a green light when there is no obstacle, and a battery (14) that powers electronic devices.

Description

Field of technology:

[0001] The present invention relates to a walking stick used by people with disabilities for walking, and more particularly to an intelligent walking stick with a monitoring system that increases environmental awareness and is suitable for any body size. State of the art:

[0002] The most important training that makes it easier for a visually impaired person to move around independently is orientation and mobility training. Orientation and mobility training is training that includes the ability to recognize the environment by using all kinds of signs, cues, directions, turns, distance relationships, sounds, and smells, and the ability to move independently and safely by using acquired knowledge and techniques. Orientation involves using a person's senses to determine their position and relationship to important objects in the environment, whereas mobility is about a person's ability, possibility, and willingness to move around in their environment. It is dangerous for a visually impaired person to move or even take a step without a walking stick. A visually impaired person always takes their steps forward with their walking stick.It is always dangerous for a visually impaired person to step sideways or backwards.

[0003] Today, the yellow lanes are designed to make it easier for visually impaired people to walk on the road. Using these consecutive lanes, disabled people try to walk and find their direction by moving their walking sticks forward and backward, right and left, up and down, and also by feeling with their feet. These protruding paths can cause visually impaired people to sprain their feet and break their walking sticks if they get caught on the protrusions. In addition, the state incurs financial and personnel losses due to the installation of these lanes along the entire route. Moreover, these lanes only help determine the person's position; they do not raise awareness of the environment, and the person cannot learn about the environment during cultural outings.

[0004] The charging system for walking sticks is described in patent application JP2008272373A. This walking stick charging system consists of a battery charger, a terminal worn by the user, which is attached to the visually impaired person and has a loudspeaker, and the walking stick. This system is configured to be easily charged by inserting the tip of the walking stick into the charging port of the battery charger. When a charging button on the walking stick is pressed, the walking stick accesses a server that manages information about the installation location of the battery charger and receives the information about the installation location of the battery charger closest to the visually impaired person. The information is transmitted to the terminal installed by the user and communicated to the visually impaired person via the speaker of the terminal installed by the user.

[0005] Patent application TR2021007763 describes an electronic glove as a virtual walking stick for visually impaired people. This invention can replace traditional walking sticks for visually impaired people and enables them to move safely and completely independently by mapping all objects, including steps and pits, at a 180-degree horizontal and vertical angle, including foot height.

[0006] The walking sticks in the aforementioned applications offer improvements in notification and audible warnings of obstacles that disabled people may encounter while moving around on the road. However, they lack an application that increases environmental awareness. These disabled people cannot know which shops, museums, food and beverage outlets, etc., are nearby while traveling. This situation is not limited to disabled people; it is also quite possible that citizens, seeking to fulfill their responsibility towards disabled people, may not notice disabled people while traveling. Definition of the invention:

[0007] The main task of the system according to the invention is to provide a walking stick construction for visually impaired people and to eliminate the above-mentioned deficiencies.

[0008] The system according to the invention will increase environmental awareness thanks to the GPS module and NFC tag reader module it contains. Users will be able to learn about the places they visit, know the location of the stores or shops they need to buy their necessities, and eliminate the need to ask for directions.

[0009] Another object of the system according to the invention is to ensure that the disabled person can take precautions against the obstacles they encounter on the road or sidewalk, and even to ensure that people around them become aware of the disabled person. The ultrasonic sensor according to the invention detects obstacles approaching the disabled person's walking stick and ensures that the disabled person receives an audible warning from the corresponding unit. The RGB color module allows disabled people to be noticed during nighttime walks. The main reason why it lights up green and red is to allow disabled people with limited vision or the ability to distinguish colors to be informed in advance about the obstacles they will encounter.While the red color indicates that the obstacle is approaching, the green color indicates that the obstacle does not exist or is far away.

[0010] With the help of the camera and the image processing module, information about situations in which obstacles cannot be detected by the sensors or concepts such as the ratio of the living population in the area or day / night can be passed on to the disabled person.

[0011] The invention includes a USB output and a headphone output. People with hearing impairments can easily use the audio alerts by plugging their headphones into the corresponding port, so they aren't disturbed by the noise in busy environments. The USB output allows the phone to be charged via the battery.

[0012] The body part of the invention is designed as a telescope and is suitable for all body sizes. Therefore, it can be manufactured in a single product line, regardless of size, and is usable by everyone.

[0013] Thanks to the simple attachment of the components that comprise the invention, it is easy to install, and costs are also low thanks to the short assembly time. Furthermore, the invention has a robust structure. Description of the drawings:

[0014] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in order that the features of the invention may be better understood and appreciated, but it is not intended to limit the invention to these particular embodiments. Rather, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents which may be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It is to be understood that the details shown are for the sole purpose of describing preferred embodiments of the present invention and are presented for the purpose of providing the most useful and easily understood description of both the embodiment of the methods, rules, and conceptual features of the invention. In the drawings; Fig. 1 is the general perspective view of the system. Fig. 2 is the detailed view of section A. Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the electronic structure of the system. Fig. 4 is the perspective view of the system from below.

[0015] The figures which contribute to the understanding of the invention are numbered in the accompanying drawings and are listed below with their designations. Description of the reference list: 1 body 1.1 hole 2 telescopic tube 3 pens 4 Electronic Box 4.1 headphone output 4.2 Buzzer output 4.3 USB output 5 NFC tag reader 6 microcontrollers 7 RGB color modules 8 GPS module 9 Camera 10 Image processing module 11 Sensor 12 Summer 13 Motherboard 14 Battery Detailed description of the invention:

[0016] The parts comprising the invention are essentially a body (1), a telescopic tube (2), a stylus (3), an electronic box (4), an NFC tag reader (5), a microcontroller (6), an RGB color module (7), a GPS module (8), a camera (9), an image processing module (10), a sensor (11), a buzzer (12), a main board (13), and a battery (14). The body (1) has at least one hole (1.1). The main board (13) has a headphone output (4.1) and a USB output (4.3), which are accessible via the electronic box (4). Information from the microcontroller (6) is transmitted via the main board (13) to the headphone output (4.1) and the USB output (4.3).

[0017] The walking stick's distance from the ground can be adjusted using the telescopic tube (2) and the spring pin (3) on the body (1). The invention features an ergonomic and adjustable design for both short and tall people.

[0018] The electronics box (4) on the body (1) houses all electronic components. The NFC tag reader (5) according to the invention is responsible for reading the tags that are placed on roads, sidewalks, asphalt, etc., and on which information is to be encoded. Since NFC is also known as a near-field communication module, it is positioned on the underside of the body (1) to be close to the tags. The NFC tag reader (5) converts the read data into a signal and sends it to the microcontroller (6). The microcontroller (6) audibly transmits the information written on the tag to the user via the buzzer (12) or the headphone output (4.1). It informs the disabled person, for example, about interactions in their environment, e.g., a pharmacy 5 meters in front of them, a market to their right, a greengrocer to their left, etc.This information is provided in cooperation with the GPS module (8), since the user's current location information is also required.

[0019] The RGB color module (7) according to the invention increases the disabled person's awareness of their environment. The obstacles encountered by a disabled person are detected by the ultrasonic sensor (11). When this sensor (11) sends its signal to the microcontroller (6), the disabled person receives an audible warning via the buzzer (12). With this warning, the disabled person will act much more cautiously and be able to react to the interactions around them.

[0020] The invention comprises an RGB color module (7). The LED lamp lights up red when the disabled person encounters an obstacle and green when this is not the case. For example, although a disabled person walking on the road at night is warned audibly when crossing the road, the passing driver may not notice the disabled person; therefore, to avoid accidents, the driver will want to stop when they see the red or green LED light. The main reason for distinguishing between red and green lights is convenience for people with partial visual impairment, i.e., those who have not yet lost the visual function to distinguish colors.

[0021] The camera (9) of the invention displays the objects that the sensor (11) cannot detect, and the signals generated by the image processing unit (10) are processed in the microcontroller (6) and transmitted to the disabled person as an acoustic warning.

[0022] All of the electronic devices of the invention are housed in the electronic box (4). The box (4), equipped with a lid, is located on the outside of the body (1) to facilitate disassembly, assembly, and replacement of parts in case of a problem with the electronic components. The electronic box (4) features a headphone output (4.1) to hear the sounds transmitted by the device, which can be caused by the noise in dense and crowded environments. In a noisy environment, it may be difficult to hear the sound of the buzzer (12), which serves as a speaker. By connecting their headphones to this output (4.1), the disabled person can easily hear warning or information sounds without being affected by the external environment. If a disabled person wants to charge their phone, they can simply charge it using the USB output (4.3) on their walking stick instead of using the nearby charging stations.All electronic components of the invention are supported by batteries (14) which can be housed in the electronic box (4) or in the body (1). QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2008272373A

[0004]

Claims

[1] Intelligent walking stick with a monitoring system that increases environmental awareness and is suitable for all body sizes, characterized by that he - a body (1) containing at least one downwardly directed hole (1.1), - a telescopic tube (2) which merges into the body (1) and can move telescopically, - a spring pin (3) which ensures the fixation of the telescopic tube (2), - an NFC tag reader (5) that reads the tags on the floor and transmits the information on the tag to the microcontroller (6), - a camera (9) that monitors interactions and obstacles in the environment, - an image processing module (10) which processes the data coming from the camera (9) and then transmits it to the microcontroller (6), - at least one ultrasonic sensor (11) which generates a signal as a function of a predetermined distance, - a microcontroller (6) which converts the data it processes into an output, - a buzzer (12) which transmits sound signals as sound to the external environment, - a GPS module (8) which ensures the flow of information by sending the person's location information to the microcontroller (6) using the signals received from space, - an RGB color module (7) which, as a result of the information coming from the sensor (11), switches on a red light when an obstacle is approaching and a green light when there is no obstacle, and - a battery (14) which supplies power to electronic devices. [2] Intelligent walking stick with a monitoring system that increases environmental awareness and is suitable for any body size, according to claim 1, characterized bythat it comprises a main board (13) which transmits the information from the microcontroller (6) via a cable to the headphone output (4.1) and the USB output (4.3). [3] Intelligent walking stick with a monitoring system that increases environmental awareness and is suitable for any body size, according to claim 1, characterized by that it includes at least one LED lamp mounted on it. [4] Electronic box (4) according to claim 1, characterized by that it comprises a buzzer output (4.2) which transmits the sounds coming from the buzzer (12) to the external environment.

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