Electronic watch with sense of direction for visually impaired individuals

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic watch with a sense of direction for visually impaired individuals which minimizes the transportation problem for visually impaired individuals and enables them to move as they wish without the need for anyone and which comprises the parts of watch case (1), battery (8), vibration motor (3), motherboard (7), processor, microphone (6) and solenoid coils (4).

Description

[0001] ELECTRONIC WATCH WITH SENSE OF DIRECTION FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to an electronic watch with a sense of direction for visually impaired individuals, which will be used for unimpeded life for visually impaired individuals, which will facilitate the lives of people with congenital or acquired visual impairment in terms of transportation and enable them to move freely as they wish without the need for anyone.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Visually impaired individuals face many challenges in their daily lives due to their limited or non-existent vision. These challenges can vary depending on the degree of impairment and whether the person was born blind or acquired the condition later in life. Here are some common problems that visually impaired individuals face:

[0006] Limited access to information: Visually impaired individuals may have difficulty accessing printed materials such as books, newspapers and documents. While assistive technologies such as screen readers and Braille displays are available, not all content is available in accessible formats.

[0007] Mobility and navigation: Navigating unfamiliar environments can be challenging for visually impaired individuals. Detecting obstacles and dangers can be difficult and relying on others for guidance can limit independence.

[0008] Social interaction: Visually impaired individuals may face barriers in social settings as they may have difficulty recognizing faces, interpreting non-verbal clues or participating in visual activities. Employment opportunities: Finding suitable employment can be more difficult for visually impaired people due to specific restrictions on job tasks and the need for accessible workplaces.

[0009] Education challenges: Access to quality education can be a challenge for visually impaired students. Regular classroom materials may not be accessible and specialized resources may be limited.

[0010] Technology accessibility: While technology has made significant advances in assisting visually impaired individuals, not all digital platforms and devices are fully accessible, which can hinder their participation in the digital world.

[0011] Emotional and psychological impact: Coping with visual impairment can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration and low self-esteem. It can also cause anxiety and depression if the person perceives a lack of support and understanding from others.

[0012] To ensure that visually impaired people can efficiently access printed material and digital content, all public institutions and organizations should provide information in multiple accessible formats, including Braille, large print and digital formats compatible with screen readers. Collaboration should be made with content creators to promote best practices for designing accessible documents, websites and digital platforms.

[0013] Accessibility standards for software and websites should be mandated to ensure compatibility with screen readers and assistive technologies. Collaboration should be made with technology companies to design user-friendly interfaces with inclusive features. By implementing these solutions, a more inclusive society should be created that allows the visually impaired community to develop and contribute their unique talents and perspectives.

[0014] With the studies on social responsibility and integration with the highest layers of society, impaired individuals have been tried to be reintegrated into society. However, in the projects carried out, attention is paid to the ergonomic comfort of impaired individuals and their place in society is ignored, so the studies indicate that they are "impaired" like a label. With the use of this invention, this problem will be eliminated. In addition, it will no longer be a problem for a visually impaired individual to be unable to comprehend where he / she is when going from one place to another.

[0015] Today's electronic watches only provide notifications with vibration, voice the time and read messages and e-mails. Products produced for the use of visually impaired individuals have certain features and have many missing aspects.

[0016] While the current studies show that impaired people are "impaired" in society as a label, this situation will be eliminated with this watch. Thus, psychological problems, social problems and more caused by this situation will be prevented. In addition, with this watch, problems such as not knowing where visually impaired individuals are while traveling and not being able to access the places they want in a healthy way will end.

[0017] The history of watches and canes used for visually impaired individuals dates back to not so distant times. Versatile projects especially for visually impaired individuals are still in the design phase today. Among these projects as well as products, the canes and watches stand out. Smart Cane, Dot Watch, Eone Bradley Watch and Time Optics are the most important examples of projects that are available on the market or announced. However, there are many aspects to be developed in these canes and watches. First of all, when we consider canes, being in the public eye and attracting attention causes psychological problems for many visually impaired individuals. While disabled people are ergonomically comfortable in their daily lives, during the time they go out, the fact that they are " impaired" like a label is revealed as a result of the canes used. In addition, canes cannot perform many functions that electronic watches perform. For this reason, the use of electronic watches has increased. When we consider the watches that can be used by visually impaired individuals and are specially produced for them, many of the watches, which are much less noticeable, compared to canes, function as a normal watch. The difference from normal watches is that they vocalize the time. In addition, the Eone Bradley Watch, which we have given an example above, is one of the first examples we can give among the watches that work with the sense of touch. One of the most important aims of our invention is to minimize the transportation problem, which is an insurmountable situation for visually impaired individuals compared to individuals who can actively use their 5 sensory organs. What is meant by transportation is not only going somewhere, but also actively knowing where you are and being able to return from where you are going is a part of transportation. This is exactly what the invention aims for.

[0018] The electronic watch, which will be used for barrier-free life, is an invention that will make the lives of people with congenital or acquired visual impairment easier in terms of transportation, allowing them to move freely as they wish without needing anyone and to have eyes that see the world. Thus, traveling freely, which is one of the most difficult challenges in the lives of the visually impaired individuals, will no longer be a problem thanks to this watch. With the data obtained by connecting to an application on the phone via Bluetooth, the wearer will be able to perceive the direction from the signals to be given to the arm with the modes of the vibration motor. At the same time, this electronic watch is planned taking into account the familiarity of visually impaired individuals with the sense of touch.

[0019] The structural and characteristic features and all the advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood by means of the figures and the detailed description given below, and therefore the evaluation should be made by taking these figures as well as the detailed description into consideration.

[0020] Auxiliary Figures for the Description of the Invention

[0021] Figure 1: Top view of the position of the vibration motor on the watch of the electronic watch with the sense of direction for visually impaired individuals

[0022] Figure 2: Top view of the motherboard of the watch of the electronic watch with the sense of direction for visually impaired individuals

[0023] Figure 3: General view of the watch of the electronic watch with the sense of direction for visually impaired individuals Auxiliary References for the Description of the Invention

[0024] 1. Watch case

[0025] 2. Watch band

[0026] 3. Vibration motor

[0027] 4. Solenoid coils

[0028] 5. Speaker

[0029] 6. Microphone

[0030] 7. Motherboard

[0031] 8. Battery

[0032] Description of the Invention

[0033] The basic parts of the watch are the watch case (1 ), battery (8), vibration motor (3), motherboard (7), processor, microphone (6) and solenoid coils (4).

[0034] To be used on the phone, an application will be used that will work in harmony with the watch via Bluetooth connection to be added on the motherboard (7). The vibration motor (3) and solenoid coils (4) connected to the processor programmed with Arduino will give an alert to the person's arm in the form of modes with the position data received from the application. At the same time, the upper part of the watch will be organized in accordance with the Braille alphabet.

[0035] The programmed coils will tell the person the time and the direction of travel by touch, in case the alert is not understood. In addition, thanks to the microphone (6) and speaker (5), the person will know exactly where he / she is, where he / she is going and where he / she will turn. The additional features are designed in case the alerts are not understood.

[0036] The invented electronic watch can be divided into three parts and their functions. Firstly, when the lower part is considered, the function expected to be realized is that it transmits information about the current position and / or the position to be traveled and the position to be returned to the user at certain intervals with the data obtained with the help of an application that we can use on the phone. This information is realized with a vibration motor (3) mounted on the bottom and the coded modes of the motor.

[0037] Secondly, when the upper part is considered, the expected function is to show the time, as the name suggests. At the same time, a part describing the direction to go was designed on the watch by considering the situation of not understanding the signals given to the person. The most important feature of the upper part is the "Braille Alphabet" system, which is designed taking into account the familiarity of the visually impaired individuals with the sense of touch and the alphabet they use. Thanks to the pins of the solenoid coils (4) placed inside the holes symbolized by the alphabet consisting of two columns and three rows vertically, the person will be able to learn easily with the sense of touch. When we come to the last part, the expected function is generally the part that operates the watch. These are the side buttons designed for functions such as operating the watch, enabling the use with voice, receiving voice commands, etc.

[0038] The first of the steps to be taken for the realization of this electronic watch is to make a mold for the solenoid coils (4). The mold is prepared with the dimensions of the solenoid coils (4) to be used with a plastic injection machine. Then, the coils to be produced with the prepared coil molds will pass through many machines and benches and proceed to the next step, that is, it to make the wires and spring windings. At the same time, the dimensions of the pins of the appropriate size to be placed inside must be determined and produced. The last step for the solenoid coil is to assemble the system with the pins.

[0039] Secondly, one of the most important stages that will enable the watch to work is the application (app). The application, which can be used with smart phone-tablet devices, works integrated with GPS navigation applications in the smart device. The application has a connection with the bluetooth module that will be added in the next stage in the watch. Finally, one of the most important stages to be prepared is the preparation of the motherboard (7) and the processor. The ATmegaTiny Processor is used for the processor and the software and coding appropriate for the processor are realized. At the same time, a Bluetooth module will be added to the motherboard (7) to connect it to the phone application that will be used to realize the main purpose of the watch and to obtain the data. The motherboard (7) will have a working watch integration and will send the signals from the watch to the moving solenoid pins by coding them that will transform the signals from the watch into Braille alphabet (Braille) with an encoder integration. The time zone to be read by the solenoid pins will be read by the user with the sense of touch. The solenoid pins will remain visible for as long as programmed into the clock's processor and as long as the desired time zone by pressing a single button, thus saving a great deal of energy.

[0040] The bluetooth module on the motherboard (7) will establish a connection with the smart phone-tablet etc. and will indicate the direction in which the system from the navigation and software should proceed with vibration modes as desired and taught to the user. The microphone (6), which is activated by pressing a separate button, which is another function of the watch, will transmit the location to be traveled by speaking on the watch to the smart device and a new route will be created. Also, in the last stage, the charger mold will be designed. With the mold made, a suitable charger is obtained.

[0041] The ergonomic and functional watch case (1) is a watch case (1 ) with the dimensions of a classic watch, so as not to add extra weight or bulk when carrying it.

[0042] The watch band (2) allows the watch to be worn on the wrist.

[0043] The motherboard (7) will be able to coordinate with communication devices, provide the watch connection via Bluetooth and / or Wifi, and transmit both the local time zone and the direction to be traveled with the "Visually Impaired Alphabet" to the sensory organ by means of moving pins with the energy received from the solenoid coils (4). At the same time, it will indicate the instantaneous direction of movement with pre- coded vibration modes to eliminate the need for constant touch.

[0044] The software will work as integrated with many navigation programs. It will enable visually impaired individuals to go and return to the desired point with a voice command. Moving pins and solenoid coils (4), whose solenoid structure will be individually designed and manufactured, will operate at certain frequencies, bringing the moving pins to the position to be felt in an adjustable time frame and will provide great energy savings.

[0045] The vibration motor (3) will give an alert type in the form of a signal sent to it thanks to the modes it has and will convey to the user which direction (right-left-front-back) the user should go in a way that is clearly understandable and not known by others.

[0046] Battery (8) serves from early morning until late at night without the need for recharging.

[0047] The most important final step is assembly. The parts to be produced in the above- mentioned stages will be harmoniously combined in the assembly workshop.

[0048] The most important feature of the electronic watch to be developed, apart from displaying the time in Braille, is that it transmits the direction to be traveled with the vibration motor (3) at the bottom of the watch to the wearer's arm as an alert with the data captured with the connection established between the application and the phone via Bluetooth. Visually impaired individuals learn with other senses (touch, hearing, smell). This electronic watch was planned taking into account their familiarity with the sense of touch. Thus, the upper part of the watch is designed accordingly, considering that the wearer does not feel the alert. The mechanical system on the front of the watch will display the time, while the rest of the parts will indicate the direction to be traveled with a single word. In this process, the word version of the signal given to the arm in connection with the application to be written will be reflected with the help of the pins in the solenoid coils (4) placed on the watch in Braille Alphabet system. Thus, the problems of incomprehensible alerts will be eliminated and clear information will be provided.

[0049] The technical and all other features mentioned in each claim are followed by a reference number, which reference number is used only to facilitate understanding of the claims and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the element indicated by this reference number for illustrative purposes. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can also demonstrate the innovation in the invention by using similar embodiments and / or apply this embodiment to other areas with similar purposes used in the relevant art. Therefore, it is also obvious that such embodiments will lack the criterion of exceeding the novelty.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An electronic watch with a sense of direction for visually impaired individuals, wherein it comprises an ergonomic and functional watch case (1), which is in the dimensions of a classic watch so as not to cause extra weight or excess weight when carrying, watch band (2) that allows the watch to be worn on the wrist, vibration motor (3), solenoid coils (4), speaker (5), microphone (6), motherboard (7), battery (8), processor and parts.

2. An electronic watch with a sense of direction for visually impaired individuals according to Claim 1 , wherein it comprises a vibration motor (3) which, thanks to its modes, gives a warning type in the form of a signal sent to it and enables it to transmit to the user which direction (right-left-front-back) the user should go.

3. An electronic watch with a sense of direction for visually impaired individuals according to Claim 1 , wherein it comprises the application for use on the phone, which works in conjunction with the watch and GPS via Bluetooth connection to connect to the phone application of the motherboard (7) and to obtain data.

4. An electronic watch with a sense of direction for visually impaired individuals according to Claim 1 , wherein it comprises a microphone (6) and a speaker (5) that allows the user to indicate his / her current location, destination and return point by saying the destination, and to create a new route by transmitting the destination to the smart device by speaking on the watch.

5. An electronic watch with a sense of direction for visually impaired individuals according to Claim 1 , the upper part of the watch contains the pins of the solenoid coils (4), which are arranged in accordance with the Braille alphabet, vertically arranged in two columns and three rows of holes in the shape symbolized by the alphabet, allowing easy learning through the sense of touch.

6. An electronic watch with a sense of direction for visually impaired individuals according to Claim 1 or Claim 5, wherein it comprises solenoid coils (4) which operate at certain frequencies to bring the movable pins into a position to be felt within an adjustable time period.

7. An electronic watch with a sense of direction for visually impaired individuals according to Claim 1 , wherein it comprises an ATmegaTiny Processor that helps the solenoid pins to remain visible for the desired time period by pressing a single button and for the programmed time period when appropriate software and coding is performed.

8. An electronic watch with a sense of direction for visually impaired individuals according to Claim 1 , wherein it comprises a motherboard (7), which has a working watch integration and can be coordinated with communication devices that send the signals from the watch by encoding them to moving solenoid pins that will transform the signals from the watch into visually impaired alphabet (Braille alphabet) with an encoder integration.

9. An electronic watch with a sense of direction for visually impaired individuals according to Claim 1 , wherein it comprises software that works integrated with the navigation program and enables visually impaired individuals to navigate and turn to the desired point with a voice command.10.An electronic watch with a sense of direction for visually impaired individuals according to Claim 1 , wherein it comprises a battery (8) which provides service from early morning until late at night without the need for recharging.

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