Guide Stick Detecting Walkway Defects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Assistive walkway features for blind or partially sighted individuals can become damaged or defective, leading to safety hazards and delayed detection by maintenance departments, as existing technologies lack efficient methods for real-time notification and location reporting of defects.
Innovation Solution
A guide stick equipped with sensors, a GPS device, and a communication device, such as a radio frequency communication device with Bluetooth functionality, that detects defects in assistive walkway features and sends notifications and location information to a remote apparatus or user equipment, distinguishing between valid and invalid defects to prevent false alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional guide sticks without defect detection capability are used, then device complexity is low, but defect detection capability and response time are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The guide stick is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional obstacle detection, defect detection of assistive walkway features, location tracking via GPS, and communication with remote systems. This multi-functional approach integrates various subsystems into a single device, improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide stick autonomously detects defects, determines its location using GPS, and automatically transmits defect reports to remote systems without requiring manual intervention from the user. This self-service capability ensures timely defect reporting while maintaining ease of use.
2Loss of time
If real-time defect notification system is implemented, then response time for maintenance is improved, but loss of time for system setup and configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors assistive walkway features and provides immediate feedback when defects are detected. The automatic notification system sends real-time alerts to remote systems, enabling rapid response to defects without requiring manual reporting or complex configuration by the user.
3Loss of information
If GPS and communication devices are added to guide stick, then location reporting capability is improved, but weight of moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs miniaturized, low-cost electronic components including GPS receivers and communication modules that provide sufficient functionality without excessive weight. These compact components are integrated into the guide stick structure to minimize weight impact while maintaining location reporting capability.
4Measurement precision
If sensor-based defect detection is implemented, then measurement precision of walkway feature state is improved, but ease of operation decreases due to additional user interactions required
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system automatically detects and reports defects without requiring user activation or interaction. The guide stick autonomously monitors assistive walkway features, processes sensor data, and transmits defect information, maintaining simplicity of operation while achieving high detection accuracy.
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 rapid notification and reporting of defects to responsible parties, facilitating timely maintenance and improving safety for users by providing real-time information on the state of assistive walkway features, reducing the risk of accidents and streamlining maintenance planning.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one sensor comprises a colour sensor arranged to detect a walkway feature comprising a coloured line
Implementation Method 2
the guide stick comprises a GPS device, enabling the guide stick to provide location information of the defect to the remote apparatus
Implementation Method 3
the communication device comprises a radio frequency communication device
Implementation Method 4
the communication device has Bluetooth functionality
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a guide stick for blind or partially sighted people. The guide stick comprises a communication device; and at least one sensor for sensing an assistive walkway feature for blind or partially sighted people. The arrangement is such that the communication device is configured to send a notification to a remote apparatus in response to detection by the at least one sensor of a defect with such an assistive walkway feature.