White stick for guiding visually handicapped person, and guide system for visually handicapped person using the same

Abstract

To provide at a low cost, a white stick which guides a visually handicapped person, and a guide system using the same.SOLUTION: A white stick body 1 is a long shape. A grounding part 2 is fitted to the tip of the white stick body 1. Therefore the grounding part 2 can contact a walking surface 200 in walking of a visually handicapped person. The grounding part 2 is formed of a material which exhibits a charging tendency which is different from that of a road surface material 300 arranged on the walking surface 200. Therefore the grounding part 2 generates friction power generation by contact to the road surface material 300. The detection part 3 is connected electrically, to the grounding part 2. Therefore the detection part 3 can detect generation of friction power generation on the grounding part 2. A transmission part 4 is configured to transmit a signal for transmitting information to the visually handicapped person, when the detection part 3 detects generation of the friction power generation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a white cane for guiding visually impaired persons and a guiding system for visually impaired persons using the same.

Background Art

[0002] A white cane is used for a visually impaired person to obtain road surface information by continuously tapping (or touching) the road surface (walking surface) lightly while walking. The white cane is generally white, but there are also those colored in colors other than white (for example, yellow).

[0003] In order to guide a visually impaired person with a white cane, conventionally, plate-shaped guiding blocks (so-called Braille blocks) are installed on the road surface. Concavities and convexities are formed on the surface of this Braille block, and when the white cane comes into contact with this concavity and convexity, predetermined information (for example, walking direction or warning) can be transmitted to the user.

[0004] However, since the Braille block is composed of a relatively thick and strong material, the manufacturing cost tends to be high. In addition, in order to install such a Braille block on the road surface, it is necessary to partially damage the road surface (such as asphalt or concrete) and then repair it, so there is a problem that the installation cost also tends to be high.

[0005] Patent Document 1 below describes a technique in which a vibration generating device is attached to a white cane and a notification means is operated by the power obtained by this vibration generating device. However, with this technique, necessary information such as direction cannot be transmitted to a visually impaired person (user). Therefore, this is not a technique that can replace the Braille block.

[0006] Non-Patent Document 1 below describes a technique in which a material that generates triboelectric power with the road surface is attached to the tip of a white cane, and a sensor placed near the road surface (i.e., in the environment) detects the power generation and sends a signal to the user. However, with this technique, the user's exact location cannot be accurately identified, and location-specific information cannot be transmitted to the user. Also, with this technique, signals will be emitted even by triboelectric power generation by someone other than the user, so it has no practicality in an environment where multiple people are present. Furthermore, with this technique, since a large number of sensors need to be placed in the environment, the installation cost becomes high, and there is also a problem in that it lacks practicality from this point of view.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0008]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described situation. The main object of the present invention is to provide a white cane that can guide visually impaired persons at a lower cost than installing braille blocks, and a guidance system using the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The present invention can be expressed as the invention described in the following items.

[0011] (Item 1) A white cane used for guiding visually impaired persons walking on a walking surface, comprising a white cane body, a grounding part, a detection part, and a transmission part, the white cane body is in a long shape, the grounding part is attached to the tip of the white cane body, whereby the grounding part can contact the walking surface when the visually impaired person walks, and the grounding part is made of a material having a charging tendency different from that of the road surface material disposed on the walking surface, whereby the grounding part generates frictional electricity by contacting the road surface material, the detection part is electrically connected to the grounding part, whereby the detection part is configured to detect the generation of the frictional electricity in the grounding part, the transmission part is configured to emit a signal for transmitting information to the visually impaired person when the detection part detects the generation of the frictional electricity White cane.

[0012] (Item 2) the detection part is configured to detect whether the voltage generated by the frictional electricity exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the transmission part is configured to emit the signal when the voltage generated by the frictional electricity exceeds a predetermined threshold value The white cane according to Item 1.

[0013] (Item 3) the detection part and the transmission part are housed inside the white cane body The white cane according to Item 1 or 2.

[0014] (Item 4) the grounding part is attached to the white cane body so as to be rotatable along the road surface material while contacting the road surface material The white cane according to Item 1 or 2.

[0015] (Item 5) The detection unit and the transmission unit are configured to operate using the power generated by the triboelectric power generation. The white cane according to Item 1 or 2.

[0016] (Item 6) On the side surface of the white cane body, a side surface portion that can come into contact with the walking surface when the white cane body falls is arranged. The side surface portion is made of a material having a charging tendency different from that of the walking surface, whereby the side surface portion generates triboelectric power generation by contact with the walking surface. The detection unit is electrically connected to the side surface portion, whereby the detection unit is configured to be able to detect the occurrence of triboelectric power generation in the side surface portion. The white cane according to Item 1 or 2.

[0017] (Item 7) The grounding portion is made of a material having a charging tendency such that the voltage generated by triboelectric power generation with the road surface material is greater than the voltage generated by triboelectric power generation with the walking surface. The white cane according to Item 1 or 2.

[0018] (Item 8) A guiding system for visually impaired persons, comprising a white cane used for guiding a visually impaired person walking on a walking surface and a road surface material arranged on the walking surface, The white cane has a white cane body, a grounding portion, a detection unit, and a transmission unit. The white cane body is in a long shape. The grounding portion is attached to the tip of the white cane body, whereby the grounding portion can come into contact with the walking surface when the visually impaired person walks. And the grounding portion is made of a material having a charging tendency different from that of the road surface material, whereby the grounding portion generates triboelectric power generation by contact with the road surface material. The detection unit is electrically connected to the grounding unit, whereby the detection unit is configured to be able to detect the occurrence of the triboelectric power generation in the grounding unit. The transmission unit is configured to emit a signal for transmitting information to the visually impaired person when the detection unit detects the occurrence of the triboelectric power generation. Guiding system.

[0019] (Item 9) The road surface material is composed of a tape attached to the walking surface or a paint applied to the walking surface. The guiding system according to Item 8.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the technology of the present invention, it is possible to provide a white cane capable of guiding visually impaired persons at a lower cost than installing braille blocks, and a guiding system using the same.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the white cane according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0023] (Configuration of the White Cane in the First Embodiment) The white cane 100 (see FIG. 1) of the present embodiment is used for guiding visually impaired persons walking on the walking surface 200 described later, and has a white cane main body 1, a grounding part 2, a detection part 3, and a transmission part 4 as main components (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Further, the white cane 100 of the present embodiment has a power source 5 (see FIG. 2).

[0024] (White Cane Main Body) The white cane body 1 is in the shape of a long rod, similar to a general white cane. The white cane body 1 may be a foldable type. The upper part of the white cane body 1 is a grip 11. A strap (not shown) may be attached to the white cane body 1. In the present embodiment, a detection unit 3, a transmission unit 4, and a power source 5 are housed inside the white cane body 1.

[0025] (Grounding part) The grounding part 2 is attached to the tip of the white cane body 1. As a result, the grounding part 2 can come into contact with the walking surface 200 (described later) when the visually impaired person walks.

[0026] The grounding part 2 is made of a material having a charging tendency different from that of the road surface material 300 (described later) disposed on the walking surface 200. As a result, the grounding part 2 generates frictional electricity when coming into contact with the road surface material 300.

[0027] (Detection unit) The detection unit 3 is electrically connected to the grounding part 2. As a result, the detection unit 3 is configured to be able to detect the generation of frictional electricity in the grounding part 2.

[0028] The detection unit 3 in the present embodiment can detect whether the voltage generated by frictional electricity exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and can operate the transmission unit 4 to emit a signal.

[0029] (Transmission unit) The transmission unit 4 is configured to emit a signal for transmitting information to the visually impaired person when the detection unit 3 detects the generation of frictional electricity. The signal may be, for example, sound, but may also be light, vibration, etc. In short, any signal that can be transmitted to the user is acceptable. Also, the signal may be a wireless signal for transmitting information to the user via a mobile terminal (not shown).

[0030] (Power source) The power source 5 is, for example, a rechargeable or disposable battery. The power source 5 is preferably small and lightweight.

[0031] (Embodiment of the detection unit and the transmission unit) Hereinafter, an embodiment of a circuit for implementing the detection unit 3 and the transmission unit 4 will be described with further reference to FIG. 3.

[0032] In this embodiment, the detection unit 3 is composed of a rectifier circuit 31, an IC chip 32, and resistors 33 and 34. The voltage from the grounding unit 2 is full-wave rectified by the rectifier circuit 31 and then input to the IC chip 32. If the voltage value exceeds the threshold, the IC chip 32 can operate the transmission unit 4 to transmit a signal to the user. If the voltage value does not exceed the threshold, the transmission unit 4 does not operate. In this embodiment, a buzzer is used as the transmission unit 4. Note that a power supply 5 is connected to the IC chip 32.

[0033] (Method of using the white cane in this embodiment) Next, the method of using the white cane 100 according to this embodiment will be described with further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0034] (Preparations) As a prior preparation, a road surface material 300 is arranged on the walking surface 200 (see FIG. 4(a)). In this embodiment, as the road surface material 300, a tape that can be attached to the walking surface 200 is used. As the material of the road surface material 300, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is used. Also, the material of the walking surface 200 is assumed to be normal materials such as asphalt, tile, and concrete. Note that the road surface material 300 may be a coating film (not shown) composed of a paint using PVC.

[0035] (Walking) The user P, who is a visually impaired person, holds the white cane 100 of this embodiment in hand and walks on the walking surface 200 while contacting the walking surface 200 with the tip of the white cane body 1 (step SA-1 in FIG. 5). At this time, the walker P usually walks while lightly tapping the walking surface 200 at a fine cycle (for example, about several Hz) while slightly moving the tip of the white cane body 1 up and down (so-called tapping). This walking mode is the same as that of a conventional white cane.

[0036] (Approaching) As the pedestrian P walks, the pedestrian P approaches the road surface material 300 attached to the walking surface 200 (see step SA-2 in FIG. 5 and FIG. 4(b)).

[0037] (Contact and Notification) When the pedestrian P approaches the road surface material 300 disposed on the walking surface 200, the grounding portion 2 at the tip of the white cane 100 held by the user P contacts the road surface material 300 (see step SA-3 in FIG. 5 and FIG. 4(c)). In this embodiment, a voltage is generated due to the contact and separation between the grounding portion 2 and the road surface material 300. When the detection unit 3 detects this voltage, a signal is emitted by the transmission unit 4, and information can be transmitted to the user P (step SA-4 in FIG. 5). The user P who has received the information can, for example, stop on the spot (step SA-5 in FIG. 5) or change the direction of travel.

[0038] In this embodiment, PVC is used as the road surface material 300, and polyamide (so-called nylon) is used as the grounding portion 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, the voltage generated due to the contact and separation between the two can be increased. Then, it can be detected that the tip of the white cane 100 has contacted the road surface material 300 when the voltage value exceeds the threshold. Examples of the generated voltage for different materials will be described later.

[0039] (Power Generation Tendency for Each Road Surface Material) Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the power generation tendency for each type of road surface material 300 will be described.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows the voltage values generated by triboelectricity between the grounding part 2 made of polyamide (specifically nylon 6,6) and the road surface material 300 made of PVC. For comparison, it also shows the voltage values generated by triboelectricity between the walking surface 200 and the grounding part 2 when the material of the walking surface 200 is asphalt, cement, tile, or paint (ordinary road paint). As is clear from FIG. 6, the voltage generated by the contact between the road surface material 300 and the grounding part 2 is clearly larger than the voltage between the walking surface 200 and the grounding part 2. Therefore, by appropriately setting the threshold value as shown by the horizontal line in FIG. 6 for example, the contact with the walking surface 200 and the contact with the road surface material 300 can be distinguished. Accordingly, the detection unit 3 can accurately detect the contact with the road surface material 300, issue a signal to the user, and transmit information.

[0041] FIG. 7(a) shows the voltage values generated by triboelectricity when the material of the road surface material 300 is PVC and the material of the grounding part 2 is brass (Brass H59), aluminum alloy (Al 7075), stainless alloy (SUS 304), or nylon resin (Nylon), for each pressing force from the grounding part 2 to the road surface material 300. The contact frequency during triboelectricity is set to be constant at 2 Hz. Although a large voltage is obtained in any case, it can be seen that nylon resin is the most suitable.

[0042] FIG. 7(b) shows the relationship between the voltage value generated by triboelectricity and the pressing force from the grounding part 2 to the road surface material 300 under the same conditions as in FIG. 7(a). It can be seen that the voltage fluctuation due to the pressing force is small.

[0043] FIG. 7(c) shows the voltage values generated by triboelectricity for each contact frequency between the grounding part 2 and the road surface material 300 under the same conditions as in FIG. 7(a). However, the pressing force during triboelectricity is set to be constant at 10 N. It has the same characteristics as FIG. 7(a).

[0044] FIG. 7(d) shows the relationship between the voltage value generated by triboelectricity and the contact frequency between the grounding part 2 and the road surface material 300 under the same conditions as in FIG. 7(c). It can be seen that the voltage fluctuation due to the frequency is small.

[0045] Fig. 8(a) shows the voltage values (maximum amplitudes) generated by triboelectricity when the material of the road surface material 300 is PVC and the materials of the grounding part 2 are brass (H59), aluminum alloy (Al 7075), stainless alloy (SUS 304), and nylon resin (Nylon). Here, the pressing force during triboelectricity generation was kept constant at 20 N, and the frequency was kept constant at 2 Hz. From this result, it can be seen that nylon resin is the most suitable material for the grounding part 2.

[0046] Fig. 8(b) shows the voltage values (maximum amplitudes) generated by triboelectricity when the materials of the walking surface 200 are tile, cement, asphalt, and painted surface, and the materials of the grounding part 2 are brass (H59), aluminum alloy (Al 7075), stainless alloy (SUS 304), and nylon resin (Nylon). From this result, it can be seen that when the material of the walking surface 200 is various materials that are usually assumed, the voltage values generated by the frictional contact between the grounding part 2 and the walking surface 200 and the voltage values generated by the frictional contact between the grounding part 2 and the road surface material 300 are significantly different. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish between the contact with the walking surface 200 and the contact with the road surface material 300.

[0047] As is clear from the above, it is desirable that the grounding part 2 be composed of a material having a charging tendency such that the voltage generated by triboelectricity with the road surface material 300 is higher than the voltage generated by triboelectricity with the walking surface 200. As a premise, generally, the materials that are likely to be adopted as the walking surface 200 tend to be positively charged easily. Therefore, as the road surface material 300, it is preferable to select a material having a charging tendency different from that of the walking surface 200, particularly a material that is easily negatively charged. Then, as the grounding part 2, it is preferable to select a material that is easily positively charged. Moreover, the material of the grounding part 2 and the material of the road surface material 300 are preferably selected so as to be at positions as far apart as possible in the charging series (that is, capable of generating a high voltage during triboelectricity generation). However, since triboelectricity can occur if the materials are different, it is possible to make the material of the grounding part 2 and the material of the road surface material 300 materials that are close in the charging series as long as the voltage can be detected appropriately.

[0048] Also, as is clear from the above description, a guidance system for visually impaired persons can be constructed using the white cane 100 and the road surface material 300 of the present embodiment.

[0049] (Second Embodiment) Next, the configuration of the white cane 120 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. In the description of this second embodiment, components that are basically common to the white cane 100 of the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals to simplify the description.

[0050] In the white cane 120 of the second embodiment, a side surface portion 6 that can contact the walking surface 200 when the white cane main body 1 falls is disposed on the side surface near the lower end of the white cane main body 1 (see FIG. 9). Note that in FIG. 9, the description of the white cane main body 1 is omitted.

[0051] The side surface portion 6 is made of a material having a charging tendency different from that of the walking surface 200, for example, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). Thereby, the side surface portion 6 generates frictional electricity by contact with the walking surface 200.

[0052] The detection unit 3 of the second embodiment is electrically connected to the side surface portion 6. Thereby, the detection unit 3 is configured to be able to detect the generation of frictional electricity in the side surface portion 6.

[0053] According to the white cane 120 of the present embodiment, when the user falls, the contact between the side surface portion 6 and the walking surface 200 can be detected by the detection unit 3. The detection unit 3 can issue an alarm by the transmission unit 4. Alternatively, if the detection unit 3 is pre-wirelessly connected to a portable terminal (not shown) such as a smartphone, a notification notifying of danger can also be sent to the outside via the portable terminal.

[0054] (Power generation characteristics for each road surface material) The power generation tendency for each material of the walking surface 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows the amplitude of the voltage value due to triboelectric power generation between PTFE and asphalt, cement, tiles, and paint (ordinary road surface paint). As is clear from FIG. 10, even when the material of the walking surface 200 varies, the voltage due to contact with the side portion 6 (PTFE in this embodiment) is quite large, at least about 50 V, and can be clearly distinguished from the voltage from the grounding portion 2 during normal walking (see FIG. 8(b)). Therefore, in this embodiment, the contact between the side portion 6 and the walking surface 200 can be reliably detected. The fact that the side portion 6 is in contact with the walking surface 200 indicates a situation where the user is highly likely to have fallen. Therefore, by detecting the contact between the side portion 6 and the walking surface 200, the safety of the user can be ensured.

[0055] Other configurations and advantages of the white cane 120 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and thus further detailed description is omitted.

[0056] Note that the descriptions of the above-described embodiments are merely examples and do not show the essential configurations of the present invention. The configurations of each part are not limited to the above as long as they can achieve the gist of the present invention.

[0057] For example, the grounding portion 2 can be attached to the white cane body 1 so as to be rotatable along the road surface material 300 while being in contact with the road surface material 300. In this way, the pattern formed in the length direction of the road surface material 300 can be read while rolling the grounding portion 2, and a complex signal can be transmitted to the user.

[0058] Also, the detection unit 3 and the transmission unit 4 may be configured to operate by the power generated by triboelectric power generation. In this way, the power source 5 can be omitted.

[0059] Furthermore, by using a plurality of types of materials for the road surface material 300 and detecting the voltages (i.e., voltages of multiple levels) generated corresponding to triboelectric power generation with each road surface material 300, it is also possible to transmit a more complex signal to the user.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1 white cane body 11 grip 2 grounding part 3 detection part 31 rectifier circuit 32 IC chip 33·34 resistor 4 transmitter 5 power supply 6 side surface part 100·120 white cane 200 walking surface 300 road surface material P user (pedestrian)

Claims

1. A white cane used for guiding visually impaired persons walking on a walking surface, comprising a white cane body, a grounding part, a detection part, and a transmitting part, wherein the white cane body is in a long shape, the grounding part is attached to the tip of the white cane body, so that the grounding part can contact the walking surface when the visually impaired person walks, and the grounding part is made of a material having a charging tendency different from that of the road surface material disposed on the walking surface, so that the grounding part generates frictional electricity by contact with the road surface material, the detection part is electrically connected to the grounding part, so that the detection part is configured to detect the occurrence of the frictional electricity in the grounding part, the transmitting part is configured to emit a signal for transmitting information to the visually impaired person when the detection part detects the occurrence of the frictional electricity White cane.

2. The detection part is configured to detect whether the voltage generated by the frictional electricity exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and the transmitting part is configured to emit the signal when the voltage generated by the frictional electricity exceeds a predetermined threshold value The white cane according to Claim 1.

3. The detection part and the transmitting part are housed inside the white cane body The white cane according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The grounding part is attached to the white cane body so as to be rotatable along the road surface material while contacting the road surface material The white cane according to Claim 1 or 2.

5. The detection part and the transmitting part are configured to operate by the electric power generated by the frictional electricity The white cane according to Claim 1 or 2.

6. On the side surface of the white cane body, a side surface part that can contact the walking surface when the white cane body falls is disposed, the side surface part is made of a material having a charging tendency different from that of the walking surface, so that the side surface part generates frictional electricity by contact with the walking surface, the detection part is electrically connected to the side surface part, so that the detection part is configured to detect the occurrence of the frictional electricity in the side surface part The white cane according to Claim 1 or 2.

7. The grounding part is made of a material having a charging tendency such that the voltage generated by the frictional electricity with the road surface material is greater than the voltage generated by the frictional electricity with the walking surface The white cane according to Claim 1 or 2. Claim 8 A guiding system for visually impaired persons, comprising a white cane used for guiding visually impaired persons walking on a walking surface and a road surface material disposed on the walking surface, wherein the white cane has a white cane body, a grounding part, a detection part, and a transmitting part, the white cane body is in a long shape, the grounding part is attached to the tip of the white cane body, whereby the grounding part can come into contact with the walking surface when the visually impaired person walks, and the grounding part is made of a material having a charging tendency different from that of the road surface material, whereby the grounding part generates frictional electricity by contact with the road surface material, the detection part is electrically connected to the grounding part, whereby the detection part is configured to detect the generation of the frictional electricity in the grounding part, and the transmitting part is configured to emit a signal for transmitting information to the visually impaired person when the detection part detects the generation of the frictional electricity guiding system. Claim 9 The road surface material is composed of a tape pasted on the walking surface or a paint applied on the walking surface The guiding system according to claim 8.

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