Head-mounted Center of Gravity Shifting Blind Guidance Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blind guiding apparatuses face inefficiencies in guiding users due to the time-consuming process of interpreting voice commands and vulnerability to ambient noise, leading to inaccurate direction changes and complex correction processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that determine a target direction and control a mechanical device to shift its center of gravity towards that direction, providing direct physical feedback to the user through pressure on their head, allowing for real-time and accurate direction adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voice commands are used to guide the blind, then the system can provide direction instructions, but the process time from receiving to executing the command becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the acoustic field (voice commands) with a mechanical field (center of gravity shift). The guiding device worn on the user's head mechanically shifts its center of gravity to indicate direction, eliminating the need for voice processing and providing immediate tactile feedback that directly guides the user's movement.
2Reliability
If voice commands are used for blind guiding, then direction can be communicated, but the system becomes vulnerable to ambient noise interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the acoustic communication channel with a mechanical feedback channel. By wearing the guiding device on the head and using center of gravity shifts, the system provides tactile feedback that is completely immune to ambient noise interference, ensuring reliable direction indication in any acoustic environment.
3Ease of operation
If voice commands are used to indicate direction, then the system can provide navigation guidance, but the user requires time to understand and process the commands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the guiding device to serve itself by providing direct mechanical indication of direction through center of gravity shift. The user's body naturally responds to the gravitational pull, automatically aligning with the indicated direction without requiring cognitive processing or understanding of commands, thus eliminating understanding time.
4Reliability
If voice commands are used for blind guiding, then direction information can be transmitted, but the correction process becomes complex when errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex acoustic command processing and error correction with simple mechanical feedback. When direction correction is needed, the device simply shifts its center of gravity to the new target direction, providing immediate and unambiguous tactile guidance that is inherently simpler than voice-based correction protocols.
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
This approach significantly improves guiding efficiency by allowing users to feel and adjust their direction based on the shifting center of gravity, reducing the time required to understand voice commands and minimizing errors, thus enhancing navigation for the blind.
Implementation Method 1
controlling a mechanical device to shift its center of gravity toward the target direction according to the target direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method, device, and apparatus for guiding the blind, comprising: determining a target direction; controlling a mechanical device to shift its center of gravity toward the target direction according to the target direction. Since embodiments of the present invention indicate the target direction in a shifting manner of centre of gravity and give indications of different directions in a pressure manner upon user's head, it is easy for the user to feel the shifting of the centre of gravity on his head. Moreover, since people walk in a direction consistent with the head orientation, indications of turning head of the blind to the target direction can make it efficient for the blind to find the target direction. Compared with the existing indication manner of voice command, the technical solution provided in the present invention does not occupy the user understanding time of voice commands; instead, mechanism of centre of gravity shift can help the user feel direction indications directly, thereby improving the blind guiding efficiency.