Wearable Visual Odometry Navigation for Visually Impaired
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation systems for the visually impaired are limited in providing independent mobility, especially in unfamiliar or complex environments, as they rely on GPS technology that is ineffective indoors and lacks precision for navigation.
Innovation Solution
A navigation system utilizing image processing, haptic feedback, and odometry techniques to estimate a user's location and provide navigation instructions, including a wearable device with cameras and a processor for feature detection and location estimation, and haptic feedback for directional guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If GPS technology is used for navigation, then navigation coverage is provided outdoors, but navigation precision deteriorates indoors and for walking guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary navigation system that bridges the gap between GPS outdoor navigation and indoor navigation needs. This intermediary system uses a combination of GPS for outdoor positioning, visual odometry for indoor tracking, and haptic feedback devices for directional guidance, creating a seamless transition between navigation modes without relying solely on GPS
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system is designed with multi-functionality to operate effectively in both outdoor and indoor environments. It integrates GPS receivers for outdoor navigation, visual odometry algorithms for indoor positioning, and haptic feedback mechanisms for tactile guidance, allowing a single system to serve multiple navigation purposes across different settings
2Ease of operation
If traditional navigation systems are used, then basic navigation is provided, but independent mobility deteriorates in unfamiliar or complex environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms where the haptic feedback device receives real-time navigation instructions from the processing unit and delivers tactile guidance to the user. The visual odometry system continuously tracks the user's position and provides updated directional information, creating a closed-loop feedback system that adapts to the user's movement and environment in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical navigation aids (such as canes or human companions) with an electronic navigation system that uses visual processing, computational algorithms, and haptic feedback to provide independent navigation assistance, substituting mechanical guidance methods with sophisticated electronic systems
3Measurement precision
If image processing and visual odometry are used for location estimation, then navigation precision is improved indoors, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple navigation technologies (GPS, visual odometry, haptic feedback) into a single integrated navigation system. The processing unit combines data from different sensors and algorithms to provide unified navigation guidance, merging the strengths of each component while presenting a cohesive user experience through the haptic feedback device
Data Source
AI summary
According to some aspects, a wearable device for estimating a location of the device within a space is provided, the device comprising a plurality of cameras mounted to a structure, at least a portion of the structure being adapted to facilitate a user wearing the device, the plurality of cameras having substantially fixed positions and orientations on the structure relative to each other, and at least one processor configured to receive image data from the plurality of cameras, perform feature detection on the image data to obtain a first plurality of features from the image data, and determine an estimate of the location of the device in the space based, at least in part, on a location associated with a second plurality of features obtained from image data previously captured of the space that matches the first plurality of features.