Abstract: When a frontmost white line of a crosswalk cannot be detected due to an obstacle existing on the crosswalk, an edge position of the obstacle closer to a pedestrian in an image acquired by a camera is set as the frontmost white line of the crosswalk. As a result, a vibration generation device vibrates in a pattern that urges the pedestrian to stop at the time when the pedestrian reaches a position before the edge position of the obstacle closer to the pedestrian, so that a stop notification for walking can be appropriately performed to the pedestrian even when the obstacle exists on the crosswalk.

Abstract: A dashboard apparatus configured to detect a wrist band device within a first range of the dashboard apparatus; to select at least one of a plurality of audio messages stored in a computer memory of the dashboard apparatus, and to play the at least one of the plurality of audio messages stored in the computer memory of the dashboard apparatus through an audio speaker of the dashboard apparatus. In addition, the wrist band device may be configured to detect the dashboard apparatus within the first range of the wrist band device; to select at least one of a plurality of audio messages stored in a computer memory of the wrist band device, and to play the at least one of the plurality of audio messages stored in the computer memory of the wrist band device through an audio speaker of the wrist band device.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, it is claimed a computer-implemented method for assisting the movement of a visually impaired user by means of a wearable device 1, comprising the following steps: S1—Acquiring data from the environment of the visually impaired user S2—Fusing the acquired data, creating, repeatedly updating of a Live Map S3—Determining, repeatedly updating and storing, of at least one navigation path together with associated navigation guiding instructions for the visually impaired user to navigate from the current position of the visually impaired user to a point of interest, repeatedly selecting one preferred navigation path from the at least one navigation path, and repeatedly sending to the visually impaired user the preferred navigation path, together with associated navigation guiding instructions.

Abstract: Described herein is a system for generating echolocation sounds to assist a user having no sight or limited sight to navigate a three-dimensional space (e.g., physical environment, computer gaming experience, and/or virtual reality experience). Input is received from a user to generate echolocation sounds to navigate a three-dimensional space. Based at least on the received input, a digital representation of the three-dimensional space is segmented into one or more depth planes using an unsupervised machine learning algorithm. For each depth plane, object segments are determined for each object within the particular depth plane. Locations of a plurality of echo sound nodes are determined in accordance with the depth level and surface area of each object defined by the determined segments. The echolocation sounds comprising a spatialized sound from each echo sound node originating from the determined location are generated.

Abstract: A portable system that allows blind or visually impaired persons to interpret the surrounding environment by sound or touch, said system comprising: two cameras separate from one another and configured to capture an image of the environment simultaneously, and means for generating sound and/or touch output signals. Advantageously, the system also comprises processing means connected to the cameras and to the means for generating sound and/or touch signals. The processing means are configured to combine the images captured in real time and to process the information associated with at least one vertical band with information relating to the depth of the elements in the combined image.

Abstract: The present radio system transmits an electromagnetic signal to nearby devices requesting the device respond. The radio system also receives responses to the electromagnetic signal from the nearby devices. Based on the radio technology used, the signaling of the transmitted electromagnetic signal may be varied. For example, the transmitted electromagnetic signal may be a Bluetooth, 802.11, or other radio signal. A device that received the signal from the radio unit may transmit a response signal with the same radio technology. However, in some instances, the radio technology used for communication may operate on several radio (e.g., frequency) channels. Both the transmitter and receiver must operate on the same channel at the same time in order to communicate. Thus, it may be desirable to transmit the electromagnetic signal on more than one channel at the same time, in order to increase the chances that a nearby device responds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blind guiding equipment comprising a directional speaker, a calling transmitter disposed in a crosswalk beginning area of a pedestrian crosswalk, an access status sensor configured to sense a current status of a traffic signal which belongs to the pedestrian crosswalk, and a controller in signal connection with the calling transmitter, the traffic signal state sensor and the directional speaker, wherein the controller is configured to activate the directional speaker, when calling data which is generated by the calling transmitter according to a trigger operation has been received and access status data has indicated that a pedestrian is allowed to cross the pedestrian crosswalk, to guide a visually impaired person to follow a directional guiding sound wave which propagates along the pedestrian crosswalk to cross along the pedestrian crosswalk.

Abstract: A personal area radar is provided to permit a user to be aware of their surroundings. This may be in 360 degrees or any other suitable coverage area and angle. The personal area radar can show objects to the user through fog, smoke, precipitation, darkness and with full 360 degree field of view capability, significantly improving the user's overall situational awareness. They may also be used to view things that are behind solid objects such as in or behind walls or underground. These systems may be highly integrated phased array radar systems mounted on a helmet. They may use small, high frequency radars able to detect solid objects (and/or semi-solid objects) such as people, improvised explosive devices (IED), or other solid objects. These methods and systems may provide the user with 360 degrees view and awareness of objects regardless of external conditions such as weather, darkness or other obstructions.

Abstract: A vehicle radar system (2) for detecting the surroundings, includes a circuit board (4), with a substrate layer (14) having an upper face (14a) and a lower face (14b), a strip conductor (22) applied onto the upper face (14a) so as to surround a shielding region (20), a shielding housing (6) that covers the shielding region (20) and that extends along and is connected to the strip conductor (22) in an electrically conductive manner, and at least one wave guide (28) arranged in the substrate layer. The wave guide (28) has a laterally delimiting wave guide wall (28c) as well as upper and lower wave guide surfaces (28a, 28b), wherein the upper wave guide surface (28a) is a section of the strip conductor (22).

Abstract: A spatial sensing device to improve the user's movement ability and provide assistance in the autonomous walking of visually impaired or blind people, which is also easy-to-use, ergonomic and portable, the device comprises a housing including a set of modules; attaching means bonded to the housing in order to secure the device to the user; at least one user information access means; and an ultrasound transducer positioned at the junction between one housing side and the attaching means; the device is characterized in that the ultrasound transducer is positioned on the device at a slant angle (?) with respect to the device axis (Z), such that during the use of the device, the ultrasound transducer is directed toward the user's front side in order to emit and detect signals which will be processed by the set of modules in the housing, wherein the set of modules comprises a processing module interacting with an intercommunication module, a position and/or movement sensing module, a spatial sensing module, and a

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes an antenna element for carrying out wireless communications, a power feeding section for supplying power to the antenna element, a conductor other than the antenna element, and a dividing part for dividing the conductor, the dividing part being provided so as to divide the conductor into parts so that each of the parts has a length equal to or less than a quarter of wavelength at an operating frequency at which the antenna element carries out wireless communications.

Abstract: The echolocater device described herein incorporates the features of integrated sampling radar technology to create a unique device that provides, for example, the visually impaired with an excellent new tool to help navigate the world. Much like a bat using its bio-sonar, the visually impaired will be able to hear subtle differences in audio-replicated radar echoes. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, two integrated-sampling type radar receivers are spaced some convenient distance apart. A single transmitter centered between two receivers transmits pulses of an RF carrier. Audio “IF” output from each receiver is processed and sent to a small speaker worn near each ear. With practice, the user of this invention will be able to discern the range, location and motion of individual objects, and may also be able to distinguish particular echo characteristics of differing objects.

Abstract: When a lane-width-direction lateral position (X2obst+X0) of a vehicle (MM) reaches a predetermined control start position (60) being a lane-width-direction lateral position (X2obst+X0) serving as an approach prevention indicator for the vehicle (MM), a control start is determined and a yaw moment (Ms) toward the center of a vehicle traveling lane (200) is applied to the vehicle (MM) to control the vehicle (MM). Then, when the lane-width-direction lateral position (X2obst+X0) of the vehicle (MM) moves from the outside to the inside of the control start position (60), the determination of control start is suppressed for a predetermined period, compared to a period before the movement to the inside of the control start position (60).

Abstract: Method and system for utilizing multiple phenomenological techniques to resolve closely spaced objects during imaging includes detecting a plurality of closely spaced objects through the imaging of a target area by an array, and spreading electromagnetic radiation received from the target area across several pixels. During the imaging, different phenomenological techniques may be applied to capture discriminating features that may affect a centroid of the electromagnetic radiation received on the array. Comparing the locations of the centroids over multiple images may be used to resolve a number of objects imaged by the array. Examples of such phenomenological discriminating techniques may include imaging the target area in multiple polarities of light or in multiple spectral bands of light. Another embodiment includes time-lapse imaging of the target area, to compare time lapse centroids for multiple movement signal characteristics over pluralities of pixels on the array.

Abstract: The echolocater device described herein incorporates the features of integrated sampling radar technology to create a unique device that provides, for example, the visually impaired with an excellent new tool to help navigate the world. Much like a bat using its bio-sonar, the visually impaired will be able to hear subtle differences in audio-replicated radar echoes. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, two integrated-sampling type radar receivers are spaced some convenient distance apart. A single transmitter centered between two receivers transmits pulses of an RF carrier. Audio “IF” output from each receiver is processed and sent to a small speaker worn near each ear. With practice the user of this invention will be able to discern the range, location and motion of individual objects, and may also be able to distinguish particular echo characteristics of differing objects.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing information about a physical surrounding environment to a user includes an elongate body having first and second opposing ends and a mast, at least one sensor mountably coupled to the mast, at least one dual purpose, bi-directional haptic force feedback device including first and second haptic force feedback mechanisms and a vibrator, and a processor, which receives signals from the at least one sensor and operatively controls the at least one dual purpose, bi-directional haptic force feedback device.

Abstract: The system of the preferred embodiments includes a housing, an input element to detect the characteristics of an area, a processor to convert the detected characteristics of an area to an output signal, and an aiming device to adjust the orientation of the input element with respect to the housing. The system has been designed to detect the characteristics of an area and convert the detected characteristics to an output signal to a visually impaired user.

Abstract: An emergency flashing light mechanism includes one or more emergency flashing lights, a processor, a transmitter, and a receiver. The emergency light flashing mechanisms can exchange information with the vehicles, pedestrians and other components of a traffic complex via their respective transmitters and receivers. The emergency flashing light mechanisms can process such information and override control lights having red, yellow and green lights. The emergency flashing lights can selectively respond to emergency vehicles.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a system enabling the blind and the partially sighted to direct themselves and find their way in unknown surroundings. Said method consists in teletraining using a portable sensor in particular touch-sensitive or audio, the blind or partially sighted person about the path he must follow to move from one point to another, avoiding obstacles. Said method enables the blind or partially sighted person, having no material landmark which he could remember and recognize by feeling his way with his walking stick, to find his way particularly in streets of a town, in the corridors of an underground railway or of a building.

Abstract: The present invention is a multi-purpose portable imaging device. The device is small enough to be hand-held or wearable and has embedded on its surface at least one sensor. These sensors may be active or passive. Analog energy received from the sensors is converted into a digital format and sent to an advanced computer. The computer is constructed on parallel architecture platform. The computer has the capability of taking data from multiple sensors and providing sensor fusion features. The data is processed and displayed in a graphical format in real time which is viewed on the imaging device. A keypad for entering data and commands is available on the device. The device has the capability of using a removable cartridge embedded with read only memory modules containing application software for manipulating data from the sensors. The application cartridge provides the imaging device with its multi-purpose functionality.

Abstract: A sensory system and method for a visually impaired user includes an array of laser transmitters for transmitting laser signals in given areas corresponding to each of the laser transmitters. An array of laser sensors are provided for receiving laser signals reflected from objects in the corresponding given areas with each laser sensor corresponding to a respective one of the array of laser transmitters. The time between transmitted and received laser signals of a laser transmitter and the respective laser sensor is indicative of the distance between the user and an object in the corresponding given area. A processor is operable with the laser transmitters and laser sensors to effect scanning of the given areas by the array and to process the transmitted and received signals to determine the distance between the user and an object in the given areas. A feedback system is operable with the processor for generating a feedback signal for each of the laser sensors as a function of the received laser signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of objects in a vehicle operator's blind spots. The apparatus comprises a side-facing Doppler radar system using continuous wave (CW) transmission with frequency modulation (FM) operation from a frequency modulation switching technique. The radar system determines the presence, range and closing rate of detected targets. The radar system detects targets even when operated in adverse weather conditions and will not generate false warnings due to rain clutter caused by wet roads and other wet surroundings. The radar system uses ranging techniques to reject false targets that are detected outside of a predetermined target detection zone. In accordance with the present invention, the radar system indicates that a target is detected if and only if any part of the target is within the detection zone and it: (1) remains in front of the antenna for at least TH1 seconds; (2) is at a range between Range.sub.min and Range.sub.

Abstract: An object detecting apparatus includes at least one transmitter and receiver pair having a transmitter for transmitting waves and a receiver for detecting reflected waves caused by objects reflecting the transmitted waves. The receiver outputs reflected wave detected signals in response to detecting reflected waves. A control unit is connected to the at least one transmitter and receiver pair for providing transmit control signals to the transmitter and for receiving and evaluating the reflected wave detected signals from the receiver. The control unit also determines a distance between the receiver and the object. There is also provided at least one speaker connected to the control unit for providing an audible signal.

Abstract: A portable safety mechanism housed in a cane, a walking stick or a belt-carried housing. In each of such embodiments, the portable safety mechanism includes a processor, a transmitter, a receiver, and an outside image sensor or scanner, a warning device such as an audible warning device or warning light. The scanner may, for example, sense the shape of a traffic signal or the color of a traffic signal.

Abstract: An electronic viewing aid according to the present invention comprises a small-scale, portable personal radar system adapted to be worn by a person, which radar system includes a miniaturised radar front end assembly (22) operating with millimeter wavelength electromagnetic radiation, an electrical power source, signal processing means and a sensory output means. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the radar front end assembly (22) is constructed in the form of a pair of spectacles (76), in which both a transmit antenna (78) and a receive antenna (90) of the radar system are carried on respective lens elements (75) of the spectacles (76) and analogue portions of both a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit are carried on respective side support frames of the spectacles (76); and the sensory output means is an audio output means including stereo headphones (98).

Abstract: The present invention is a locator device for the visually impaired including a transmitter and a dual sensing system having a receiver with earphones which are attached to opposite sides of a unit worn on the user's head. The sensing system is capable of determining a direction and distance of the signal, and capable of producing first and second audible notifiers in each of the earphones. The notifier produced in each earphone is different and is associated with the direction and distance of the transmitted signal. When the notifier produced in each earphone is the same, the user is directly in front of the desired object to be located.

Abstract: A radio frequency message apparatus for aiding ambulatory travel by handicapped persons such as blind individuals. The apparatus generally comprises a portable, radio frequency transceiver and a stationary, radio frequency base transceiver unit. The portable radio frequency transceiver is carried on the person of the handicapped individual and transmits a message request signal in response to manual activation of a transmit button thereon by the handicapped individual. The message request signal is received by the base transceiver, which causes the base transceiver to transmit a pre-recorded message signal back to the portable transceiver unit in radio frequency form. The message signal contains location identifying information such as the streets of an intersection at which the base unit is located.

Abstract: A homing system for directing the user to one of a plurality of objects and/or locations comprises a plurality of remote modules and a mobile module. The remote modules transmit an uncoded nondirectional response signal after receiving a coded request signal. The mobile module at spaced intervals transmits coded nondirectional request signals. The mobile module generates internal representation of the distance between the receiving means and the selected module from the time measured between the transmission of the request signal and the receipt of the response signal.

Abstract: Echo locating apparatus for a vision-impaired person which includes: a sound emitter for emitting a stream of sound bursts of ultrahigh frequency; at least on receive channel having a microphone for receiving echoes of the sound bursts and generating echo signals; an echo profile detector for generating an echo profile signal of each echo signal; a delay circuit for adding a delay to the echo profile signal, consisting of the sum of a fixed delay and a variable delay that increases with the distance to the object reflecting the echo. The sound burst emitter is preferably arranged to emit a beam of sound bursts having a given beam angle that can be pointed in any direction.

Abstract: There is disclosed a blind person guide device comprising a walking stick, a source mounted on a front face of the walking stick for emitting a beam of infrared radiation in a forward direction, a photoelectric element mounted on the front face of the walking stick for receiving infrared radiation reflected from an object irradiated by the beam, an electric circuit for producing information as to a distance to the object based on the illuminance or energy of received radiation on the photoelectric element, an oscillator for generating electric vibrations having a frequency and an amplitude which are dependent on the distance information produced by the electric circuit, and a vibrator vibratable in response to the electric vibrations and having a vibrating surface against which a human skin can be pressed.

Abstract: A system for guiding the blind including at least one receiver/sound generator unit having a built-in sound generator giving information on the destination of the user, and a receiver for actuating the sound generator in accordance with a control signal coming from outside, and a transmitter/control unit carried by the user for producing the control signal. As the user carrying the transmitter/control unit and approaching the destination at which the receiver/sound generator unit is installed, the user actuates the transmitter/control unit to cause it to produce a control signal which actuates the sound generator of the receiver/sound generator whereby an audio signal representing a voice, an onomatopoeic sound, a chime, etc., is produced to guide the user to the destination.