Time-of-flight sensor for multi-height obstacle detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional environment sensors for blind or visually impaired individuals, such as the white cane, are limited in detecting obstacles at heights other than the floor and can only detect objects within a restricted range, failing to provide comprehensive environmental information.
Innovation Solution
A portable environment sensing device equipped with time-of-flight sensors that emit and detect electromagnetic radiation to measure distances to multiple features within its field of view, processing these distances into audible or mechanical signals for simultaneous user feedback, allowing for detection of objects at various heights and angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a white cane is used to detect obstacles, then obstacles on the floor can be detected, but obstacles at other heights above the floor cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional floor-level detection (white cane) to three-dimensional spatial detection by using a time-of-flight sensor with a conical field of view that captures objects at multiple heights and angles simultaneously, resolving the limitation of detection height range
2Length of stationary object
If a white cane is used to detect obstacles, then detection is possible within limited range, but the range is restricted by the length of the white cane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical white cane system with an optical time-of-flight sensing system that uses electromagnetic radiation to detect objects, eliminating the physical length constraint and enabling detection at much greater distances
3Loss of information
If multiple distance signals are provided to the user simultaneously, then comprehensive environmental information is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional processing unit that simultaneously performs distance calculation, signal conversion to multiple modalities (audible frequencies, mechanical vibrations), and priority assignment, enabling comprehensive environmental information delivery through a single integrated component rather than multiple separate systems
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 safer movement by providing comprehensive environmental information, including obstacles at different heights and multiple objects simultaneously, enhancing the user's awareness of their surroundings compared to traditional white cane methods.
Implementation Method 1
The distance between the time-of-flight sensor and a feature at which electromagnetic radiation is reflected can be determined from the time that a pulse of electromagnetic radiation needs to travel from the time-of-flight sensor to the feature and back to the time-of-flight sensor
Implementation Method 2
The electromagnetic beam is reflected at the features and objects within the field of view of the time-of-flight sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A portable environment sensing device is described which comprises at least one time-of-flight sensor capable of detecting the distances from the time-of-flight sensor to at least two features within the field of view of the time-of-flight sensor simultaneously. The portable environment sensing device further comprises a processing unit capable of converting the at least two measured distances into at least two different distance signals, where each distance signal is correlated with the corresponding measured distance, and an output interface providing the at least two distance signals to a user simultaneously.