Accessible Pedestrian System Using Wireless Push Buttons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pedestrian crosswalk signal systems lack accessibility for visually and hearing impaired pedestrians, particularly in activating signals from a distance and providing continuous directional guidance during street crossings.
Innovation Solution
An integrated accessible pedestrian system that combines pole-mounted and wireless push button systems, using Bluetooth Low Energy technology to provide visual, audible, and tactile signals, allowing registration of pedestrian signal requests and status updates, and guiding users through crosswalks with visual and tactile cues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional pole-mounted pedestrian push button system is used, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but it cannot be activated from a distance and lacks continuous directional guidance for visually impaired pedestrians
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a traditional pole-mounted push button system with a wireless remote system into an integrated accessible pedestrian system. The controller receives signals from both wired push buttons and wireless remote devices, merging two different activation methods into a single unified system that maintains the simplicity of the traditional system while adding the distance activation capability of wireless technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to handle multiple types of input signals (wired push button presses and wireless remote transmissions) and provide multiple types of output signals (visual crosswalk signals and audible/tactile guidance). This multi-functionality allows the system to serve both sighted and visually impaired pedestrians through various activation and feedback methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If only visual signals are provided in the pedestrian signal system, then the system is simple, but it is not accessible to visually impaired pedestrians
Solution Approach 1:
The signal feedback system is segmented into three distinct modalities: visual signals for sighted pedestrians, audible signals for visually impaired pedestrians, and tactile signals specifically oriented to guide visually impaired pedestrians in the correct direction. This segmentation allows each signal type to serve its specific user group effectively without interfering with the others.
Solution Approach 2:
Different signal formats are provided at different locations and through different components of the system. Visual signals are displayed on the crosswalk signal heads, while audible and tactile signals are provided through the wireless remote device held by the visually impaired pedestrian. Each component provides the appropriate signal quality for its intended user group.
3Reliability
If continuous directional guidance is provided to visually impaired pedestrians during crossing, then safety is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless remote device provides continuous feedback to the visually impaired pedestrian during the crosswalk crossing. The tactile and audible signals give real-time feedback about the pedestrian's position and direction, allowing the pedestrian to adjust their path as needed. This continuous feedback loop significantly improves safety by ensuring the pedestrian remains on the correct crossing path.
Solution Approach 2:
The visually impaired pedestrian uses the wireless remote device to activate and receive guidance signals independently. The system provides self-service by allowing the pedestrian to control the activation and receive continuous directional guidance without requiring assistance from others, thereby improving both safety and independence.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables visually and hearing impaired pedestrians to safely navigate crosswalks by registering requests and receiving continuous directional guidance, enhancing accessibility and safety through multi-format signal information.
Implementation Method 1
A wireless push button assembly for transmitting a pedestrian signal request wirelessly
Implementation Method 2
one or more arrays of Light Emitting Diode (LED) or any source of light 118 to indicate pedestrian signal status
Implementation Method 3
one or more vibrating device 112 which can make the body and front plate of the receiver 101 vibrate
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated pedestrian access system comprising of wireless push buttons adapted to transmit and receive wireless signals and receivers connected to pedestrian crosswalk signal systems, wherein said one or more receivers are configured to communicate with the wireless push buttons through wireless signals, communicate among the receivers, determine whether source device from which a request for registering a pedestrian signal is received through the said communication is the wireless push button or the receivers, determine status of pedestrian signal based on signals received from the pedestrian signal system, register request for pedestrian crosswalk signal if walk signal of the pedestrian signal is not on in the desired direction as per the status of pedestrian signal and provide acknowledgement corresponding to the status of pedestrian signal through the said source device.