White Cane Mobility Support via Direct External Device Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobility support devices for visually impaired individuals are limited in providing support across various situations and environments, particularly failing to adapt to changing conditions and underground areas where radio wave reception is difficult.
Innovation Solution
A mobility support device that identifies external devices along a user's planned route via short-range wireless communication, such as Bluetooth, enabling direct communication and generating support information for optimal mobility assistance, even when public network communication is unavailable, and adjusting for intersections with other routes or vehicle interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct communication with external devices is established along the user's route, then mobility support efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-identifies external devices along the user's planned route and establishes communication connections in advance before the user arrives at those locations. This allows support information to be ready and communication channels to be pre-configured, improving mobility support efficiency while managing complexity through proactive setup rather than reactive connection establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable device acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple external devices along the route. It manages direct communication connections with various external devices (vehicles, infrastructure, etc.) and coordinates information exchange, thereby improving support efficiency without requiring the user to directly interact with each external device individually.
2Adaptability or versatility
If short-range wireless communication is used for direct communication, then adaptability to various situations is improved, but communication reliability decreases in underground areas
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system dynamically switches between short-range wireless communication modes based on the operational situation. When the user is in underground areas or environments where short-range communication is unreliable, the system adapts by using alternative communication methods (such as vehicle-mounted communication systems), thereby maintaining both adaptability to various situations and communication reliability.
3Productivity
If support information is generated in advance based on predicted situations, then mobility support efficiency is improved, but information accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives feedback from external devices along the user's route and updates support information accordingly. By incorporating real-time feedback about the actual environment, user position, and external device status, the system maintains high information accuracy while still preparing support information in advance based on predicted situations, thus resolving the contradiction between efficiency and accuracy.
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 efficiently supports mobility by providing timely and relevant information to visually impaired users, ensuring safe navigation through diverse environments, including underground areas and public transportation scenarios, by establishing direct communication with external devices along the route.
Implementation Method 1
the first communication means is short-range wireless communication means; and the pairing unit establishes the first communication means with the external device that is present within a predetermined distance from the portable device
Data Source
AI summary
In a mobility support device, an external device that is present on a moving route of a user who is a target of support is identified based on a set moving plan, and first communication means that enables direct communication between the identified external device and a white cane carried by the user is established. Then, support information for supporting mobility of the user is generated based on information received from the external device by the first communication means, and the generated support information is output to an output device.