Wearable Collision Detection Device for Sensory Impairment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with conditions such as Type I diabetes or those who are blind or unsteady may inadvertently injure themselves due to loss of feeling or proprioception, leading to repeated and potentially serious injuries from collisions with objects while walking, as they cannot sense their surroundings effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising sensors, a determiner, and a notifier that can be worn on the body or integrated into clothing, which detects potential collisions with objects and alerts the wearer in time to take preventive action, using a combination of sensors like ultrasonic, infrared, and image-capture technology to provide timely warnings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors (ultrasonic, infrared, image-capture) are used to detect objects, then the reliability of collision detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (ultrasonic, infrared, and image-capture sensors) into a single integrated device that can detect objects and predict collisions. This merging approach maintains high reliability through multi-sensor data fusion while reducing overall system complexity compared to separate detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates multiple sensor types that can serve different detection purposes simultaneously - ultrasonic sensors for proximity detection, infrared sensors for thermal or distance detection, and image-capture sensors for visual identification. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle various detection scenarios, improving reliability without requiring separate specialized devices.
2Loss of time
If the sensor provides early warning of potential collisions, then the time for corrective action is increased, but the requirement for detection precision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The determiner component performs preliminary analysis of sensor data to predict potential collisions before they occur. By calculating trajectories and predicting future positions of both the subject and objects, the system provides advance warning sufficient time for corrective action while maintaining accurate detection through continuous monitoring and prediction algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor data and provides feedback through the notifier component when potential collisions are detected. This feedback loop allows the subject to take corrective action based on real-time predictions, while the system continuously updates its detection and prediction algorithms to maintain precision throughout the monitoring period.
3Ease of operation
If the device is integrated into clothing or accessories, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be integrated into various types of clothing and accessories (shoes, socks, hats, gloves, jewelry) that subjects already wear. This universal integration approach allows the detection system to be incorporated into everyday items without requiring specialized equipment, improving ease of operation while using standard manufacturing processes for the clothing items themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor components are designed to be thin and flexible enough to be integrated into fabric and clothing materials. This allows the detection device to be incorporated into wearable items like shoes, socks, and garments without significantly altering their structure or requiring complex manufacturing processes, maintaining ease of operation while using conventional textile manufacturing techniques.
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 device effectively prevents injuries by providing timely warnings of potential collisions, reducing the risk of repeated and serious harm by allowing the wearer to take corrective action before contact occurs, thus enhancing safety for individuals with impaired sensory perception.
Implementation Method 1
using a combination of sensors like ultrasonic, infrared, and image-capture technology
Implementation Method 2
using a combination of sensors like ultrasonic, infrared, and image-capture technology
Implementation Method 3
a notifier is configured to notify the subject in response to the determiner determining that the body portion may contact the object
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of a device includes at least one sensor, a determiner, and a notifier. The at least one sensor is configured to be located on a body portion of a subject and to sense an object. The determiner is configured to determine, in response to the sensor, whether the body portion may contact the object. The notifier is configured to notify the subject in response to the determiner determining that the body portion may contact the object. Such a device (e.g., attached to, or part of, a shoe) may be useful to warn a subject of a potential collision between an object (e.g., stairs, furniture, door jamb, curb, toy) and a body part (e.g., foot, toes) in which the subject has lost feeling, the ability to feel pain, or proprioception. And such a warning may help the subject to avoid inadvertently and repeatedly injuring the body part.