Wearable UWB Guidance System for Visually Impaired Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visually impaired individuals face challenges navigating buildings and outdoor spaces due to the inability to clearly see obstacles, leading to potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
A guidance system comprising a body-wearable device with an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication transceiver and a processing unit that executes a guidance function using inputs from the UWB transceiver, enabling detection of obstacles and providing feedback to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visually impaired people rely on traditional tactile aids (white cane, guide dog), then they can detect some obstacles, but they cannot clearly see obstacles in their pathway leading to accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical tactile aids (white cane) with an electronic guidance system that uses electromagnetic waves (ultra-wideband radar) to detect obstacles. The body-wearable device with UWB transceiver and processing unit provides automated obstacle detection and haptic feedback, substituting the mechanical scanning method with an electronic sensing system that offers more reliable and comprehensive obstacle detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a body-wearable guidance device as an intermediary between the visually impaired user and the environment. This device acts as a mediator that senses obstacles using UWB radar technology and communicates hazard information to the user through haptic feedback, bridging the gap between the user's limited visual perception and the physical obstacles in the environment.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a guidance system uses body-wearable device with UWB transceiver, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The body-wearable device integrates multiple functions into a single system: UWB transceiver for obstacle detection, processing unit for signal analysis, and haptic feedback mechanism for user notification. This multi-functional integration reduces the need for separate devices and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining advanced obstacle detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance system operates autonomously by automatically detecting obstacles using the UWB transceiver, processing the radar signals to identify hazards, and providing haptic feedback without requiring manual operation. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring the environment and adjusting its output based on detected conditions, reducing the complexity of user interaction.
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 guidance system effectively helps visually impaired individuals navigate by detecting obstacles and providing feedback, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing safety in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
the UWB communication transceiver is configured to operate in a radar mode
Implementation Method 2
the UWB communication transceiver is configured to operate in a ranging mode
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a guidance system is provided, comprising: a body-wearable device, said body-wearable device comprising an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication transceiver; a processing unit operatively coupled to the UWB communication transceiver, said processing unit being configured: receive an input from the UWB communication transceiver; execute a guidance function using the input received from the UWB communication transceiver. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a guidance system is conceived. In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided for carrying out said method.