BR-102024017568-A2 - Sensory device attachable to glasses for obstacle detection and assistance in the locomotion of visually impaired people.

Abstract

The invention presented here aims to assist blind or visually impaired people in moving around and detecting obstacles, thus preventing accidents. Composed mainly of sensors, transducers, a microcontroller module, and fixed to a commercial eyeglass frame, the device can inform the user, through sound and vibration waves, of the direction and distance of nearby people and obstacles. The equipment also features a rechargeable battery with an embedded charging system, tactile buttons that modify the intensity of the stimuli, and radio frequency communication that allows for the transmission of additional data and adjustments by other devices, as well as internet connectivity.

Inventors

• AIDA ARAÚJO FERREIRA
• GILMAR GONÇALVES DE BRITO
• IONÁ MARIA BELTRÃO RAMEH BARBOSA
• VÂNIA SOARES DE CARVALHO
• CARLOS ALBERTO LEAL DE BARROS
• RYAN VINÍCIUS SANTOS DE MORAIS
• FELIPE SANTANA OLIVEIRA
• ISAQUE DOMINGOS SANTANA SILVA
• ESTEVÃO PEREIRA DA SILVA

Assignees

• INSTITUTO FEDERAL DE EDUCAÇÃO, CIÊNCIA E TECNOLOGIA DE PERNAMBUCO

Dates

Publication Date

20260310

Application Date

20240827

Claims (5)

1. 1. “SENSORY DEVICE FOR OBSTACLE DETECTION CONNECTABLE TO EYEGLASSES TO ASSIST THE LOCOMOTION OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE” characterized by the generation of vibration at intervals proportional to the distance and direction of objects and people around the user.
2. 2. “SENSORY DEVICE FOR OBSTACLE DETECTION CONNECTABLE TO GLASSES TO ASSIST THE LOCOMOTION OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE”, according to claim 1, characterized by the generation of sounds at intervals proportional to the distance and direction of objects and people around the user.
3. 3. “SENSORY DEVICE FOR OBSTACLE DETECTION CONNECTABLE TO GLASSES TO ASSIST THE LOCOMOTION OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE”, according to claim 1, characterized by an arched structure connectable to a pair of glasses, printed circuit board modules provided with a microcontroller chip, a set of ultrasonic or infrared sensors, tactile buttons, micro motors, sound transducers, radio frequency system, rechargeable battery and charging system.
4. 4. “SENSORY DEVICE FOR OBSTACLE DETECTION CONNECTABLE TO EYEGLASSES TO ASSIST THE LOCOMOTION OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE”, according to claim 3, characterized by the ability to communicate with other systems (hardware and/or software) to send data and receive adjustment settings.
5. 5. “SENSORY DEVICE FOR OBSTACLE DETECTION CONNECTABLE TO GLASSES TO ASSIST THE LOCOMOTION OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE”, according to claim 4, characterized by the possibility of connecting to the internet via radio frequency.

Description

Field of invention [001] The present invention relates to a sensory device that detects the presence of obstacles (objects and/or people) around the user, connectable to pairs of glasses, with the aim of assisting blind or visually impaired people in their locomotion. The device can communicate with other devices and systems, including the internet, via radio frequency, in order to collect and relay additional information to the user about the environment. State of the art [002] The patent published under number BR 10 2022 024938 5 A2 addresses the invention of a pair of glasses for visually impaired people that uses a vector of ultrasonic sensors, micromotors and piezoelectric transducers that enable the detection of obstacles and the generation of stimuli to the user. The present state of the art has a solution similar to the invention described, but with a different format and improved operation. Problem to be solved [003] The aforementioned device does not contemplate the possibility of use by people with low vision or with vision limited only to light perception, since the user's eyes are completely blocked by the equipment. [004] The present invention solves this problem, as it can be attached to commercial frames without obstructing the eyes. The present invention also presents significant improvements with respect to the state of the art because it has greater versatility by supporting two distinct types of sensors: ultrasonic or infrared distance detectors. [005] It also features new and/or improved features, such as: its own rechargeable lithium-ion battery power supply, an embedded charging system, dynamic sound transducers, tactile button controls for intensity adjustments, modularity in the organization of its parts, allowing for greater maintainability and installation in commercial eyeglass frames. Brief description of the drawings [006] The attached figure 1 shows the device in parts, namely: (1) ultrasonic or infrared sensors, (2) sound transducers, (3) micromotors, (4) light sensor, (5) touch buttons (touch switches), (6) main board with microcontroller module. These parts are installed in a commercial eyeglass frame. [007] Figure 2 represents the coupling of the equipment to a conventional frame. Description of the invention [008] The device shown in figure 1 is separated into different modules, which are distributed along the eyeglass frame, with front modules containing the sensors, side modules containing the sound transducers, micromotors, buttons, and a rear module attached to a strap containing the main board with the microcontroller, battery, and connectors. [009] The modules with ultrasonic or infrared sensors (1) perform obstacle detection and generate data; the sound transducers (2) generate sounds and the micromotors generate vibrations; the light sensor (4) reacts to the amount of light received; the touch buttons (5) serve to locally adjust the intensity of the device stimuli. All information is sent to the microcontroller module (6) which has as its main objective to analyze such information and generate sound and vibration stimuli in proportion to the distance and direction of the obstacles. [0010] Possessing the ability to use both ultrasonic and infrared sensors (1), the device collects data from these sensors and, regardless of the type used, processes it via a microcontroller (6), transforming this data into stimuli through sound transducers (2) and micromotors (3). These transducers and motors are positioned in pairs on the left and right sides of the glasses, allowing the user to identify the position and distance of obstacles, evaluating the side from which the stimuli come and the interval between them. The tactile buttons (5) are used to adjust the device's operating parameters. The light sensor (4) provides additional data to the user, so that light or dark environments can be detected. [0011] The device communicates with other devices and systems via radio frequency, and also has internet access, in order to collect and relay additional information to the user or adjust its operation. The additional information may include: weather forecast, traffic light status, among others, while adjustments via nearby devices serve primarily to adapt the device to the user's particularities, such as hearing loss in one or both ears, performing compensation. [0012] In the area of accessibility, this invention helps both blind and visually impaired people to move around more independently. Thus, it is characterized as assistive technology, helping visually impaired people to detect obstacles that are not detected by a cane. Examples of embodiments of the invention [0013] The device may have ultrasonic or infrared sensors to collect the data needed to detect the distance and position of obstacles. These sensors are activated by the microcontroller and return the data needed to determine the position and distance of the obstacle. [0014] After this processing, the microcontroller