Mobile Crossing Aid Using NFC Tag Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visually and hearing impaired pedestrians face difficulties in identifying the correct audible signal for crossing at intersections with multiple crossings, leading to confusion and unsafe conditions, and tactile signals do not provide timely information on when it is no longer safe to cross.
Innovation Solution
A self-service crossing aid system using a mobile device that scans a machine-readable tag on a crossing signal via near field communication to determine a unique ID, searches for a wireless access point with that ID, and provides haptic feedback to notify the pedestrian when it is safe to cross and how much time remains before the right of way expires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If audible signals are used at multiple crossings, then visually impaired pedestrians can identify when they have the right of way, but it becomes difficult to identify the correct audible signal for the target crossing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the crossing signal system and the visually impaired pedestrian. The mobile device receives audible signals from multiple crossings, processes them to identify the target crossing, and presents the information in a comprehensible format. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by filtering and organizing multiple audible signals into meaningful crossing information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the mobile device continuously monitor audible signals from multiple crossings and provide real-time information to the pedestrian about which crossing has the right of way. This feedback loop enables the pedestrian to identify the correct target crossing among multiple options by receiving processed information about signal status and timing.
2Reliability
If tactile signals are used to indicate when it is safe to cross, then visually and hearing impaired pedestrians receive clear crossing permission, but they cannot determine how much time remains before it is no longer safe to cross
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs multiple functions: it receives audible signals from crossings, processes signal information, determines right of way status, and provides both tactile feedback for crossing permission and temporal information about remaining time. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by combining clear permission indication with time information in a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of information delivery by transforming the single-dimension tactile signal into a multi-parameter notification system that includes both presence/absence of crossing permission and temporal duration information. This allows the pedestrian to understand not only whether it is safe to cross but also how long the safe crossing window remains.
3Ease of operation
If conventional crossing aids are used, then basic crossing information is provided, but timely information about remaining crossing time is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring crossing signals and preparing crossing information before the pedestrian needs to cross. It proactively determines right of way status and calculates remaining time, so that when the pedestrian is ready to cross, all necessary information is already available and processed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical or simple electronic crossing aid systems with a software-based mobile device system that can process multiple signal sources, perform calculations, and provide comprehensive information. This substitution enables sophisticated time management and information delivery that goes beyond basic crossing permission indication.
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
The system effectively informs visually and hearing impaired pedestrians of their right of way and the time remaining, reducing confusion and ensuring safer crossings by providing clear and timely tactile feedback.
Implementation Method 1
scanning a machine-readable tag of the crossing signal via near field communication
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for a crossing aid on a mobile device. The tool determines a unique ID associated with a crossing signal, wherein determining the unique ID associated with the crossing signal includes scanning a machine-readable tag of the crossing signal via near field communication. The tool searches for a wireless access point (WAP) having the unique ID. The tool determines whether the WAP having the unique ID is found. Responsive to determining that the WAP having the unique ID is found, the tool determines haptic feedback.