Stereo Vision Smart Necklace for Blind Navigation
Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable cameras lack stereo cameras for reliable depth perception, limiting their ability to provide effective environmental awareness and social interaction feedback, especially for blind users.
Innovation Solution
A smart necklace equipped with stereo cameras, an IMU, GPS, and haptic/audio feedback systems that detect and provide depth information, navigation, and object recognition to assist visually impaired users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wearable cameras are designed to assist blind persons, then environmental awareness feedback is provided, but depth perception information is unreliable without stereo cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (stereo cameras, IMU, GPS) into an integrated wearable device system. The stereo camera pair captures depth information through parallax, while the IMU provides orientation and acceleration data, and GPS provides location context. These sensors are merged into a cohesive system that processes data together to provide reliable environmental awareness and depth perception feedback to blind users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D image capture to 3D depth perception by implementing a stereo camera system. The two cameras are positioned at different horizontal locations to capture images from slightly different angles, creating parallax effect. This dimensional change enables the system to calculate depth information and provide accurate spatial awareness to blind users.
2Loss of information
If stereo cameras are added for depth perception, then environmental awareness is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device is designed as a multi-functional system that serves multiple purposes: stereo cameras provide depth perception and object recognition, IMU sensors provide navigation and orientation data, GPS provides location information, and haptic/audio outputs provide feedback. This universal design allows a single device to replace multiple separate tools, enhancing environmental awareness while justifying the increased complexity through consolidated functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the wearable device into distinct functional modules: image capture module (stereo cameras), positioning module (GPS and IMU), processing module, and output module (haptic and audio feedback). Each module performs a specific function, allowing for independent optimization and maintenance while working together as an integrated system to provide comprehensive environmental awareness.
3Productivity
If real-time processing is implemented, then environmental feedback is provided, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic processing cycles where sensors continuously capture data, the processor analyzes the information at scheduled intervals, and feedback is provided rhythmically through haptic and audio outputs. This periodic action allows real-time environmental awareness while managing energy consumption by processing data in structured cycles rather than continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device incorporates onboard processing capabilities that enable it to autonomously analyze sensor data and generate feedback without requiring constant external processing. The device self-manages its operational cycles, activating sensors and processors based on detected events or predetermined schedules, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining real-time responsiveness to environmental changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing directions to a blind user of a smart device is described. The method includes detecting, by at least two sensors and in response to a selection of a find mode of the smart device, image data corresponding to a surrounding environment of the smart device and positioning data corresponding to a positioning of the smart device. The method also includes receiving, by an input device, the desired object or the desired location. The method also includes determining, by a processor, the initial location of the smart device based on the image data, the positioning data and map data stored in a memory of the smart device. The method also includes providing, by the output device, the directions to the desired object based on the initial location of the smart device and the map data.