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(11) | EP 4 327 795 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | ELECTRONIC MOBILITY AID PLATFORM AND RELATED USE METHOD |
| (57) Electronic mobility aid platform (10) for facilitating the movements of a user (100)
in an environment (200), comprising at least one interfacing device (11) which can
be carried by said user (100) and provided with first communication means (13) and
a plurality of signalling apparatuses (26, 27, 28), each suitable to be associated
with a utility (201, 202, 203) and each provided with second communication means (14)
configured at least to receive from said first communication means (13) a signal which
is indicative of the presence of a user (100) near the respective utility (201, 202,
203).
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FIELD OF APPLICATION
[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic mobility aid platform and a related use method.
[0002] In particular, but not exclusively, the aforesaid electronic platform is intended for people with disabilities, understood as people with handicaps, such as the blind, visually impaired, those who use wheelchairs or walkers and/or people affected by disabling diseases such as Alzheimer's, as an aid for movements within a road system.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] It is well known that for people with certain disabilities, autonomously moving within a city can be complex. This is particularly relevant in the case of blind or visually impaired people, but not only, as there are both difficulties related to walking alone or possibly with the use of a cane or a suitable walking tool, and the fact that, unable to see and read any signs or street numbers, they must often necessarily ask for help or information from a companion or a passer-by in order to reach a given address.
[0004] The use of GPS (Global Positioning System)-based location applications is also known, for example installed on electronic devices. However, such technology does not allow to exactly find an entrance to a store or a station, since GPS technology allows to obtain a location within a few metres.
[0005] Among walking aids, canes used by the blind and/or visually impaired are also known, so as to be able to move autonomously within urban and non-urban areas. Such canes can be provided with elements such as proximity sensors, RFID tags, GPS (Global Positioning System) locators.
[0006] The known aid devices do not allow the person with a disability to be constantly informed about the state of the surrounding environment; in the case of a blind or visually impaired person, the aid devices do not allow, for example, to determine the nature of a detected obstacle, or in general do not allow to effectively interact with the environment.
[0007] Other disabilities, for example degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, can also lead to difficulties in moving within a city road system, or even a town or a neighbourhood, as people with Alzheimer's can easily forget where they are going.
[0008] For these types of disabilities, using public transport can be difficult, especially buses or trams, in addition to correctly identifying the respective stops along a road or the correct number of transport vehicle to board.
[0009] Therefore, there is a need to improve and provide an electronic mobility aid platform, and a related use method, which overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.
[0010] To do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of implementing a technology and devices suitable to also allow a person with a disability, hereinafter referred to as the user, to move autonomously within a road system, without the need to ask third parties for help.
[0011] It is also an object to develop an electronic mobility aid platform which allows the user to interface with the surrounding environment on the one hand and allows an adaptation of the surrounding environment according to the presence and status of the user on the other.
[0012] A further object is to provide an electronic mobility aid platform which provides the user with information about the surrounding environment.
[0013] In order to overcome the drawbacks of the known technique and to achieve these and further objects and advantages, the Applicant has studied, tested and realised the present invention.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention is expressed and characterised in the independent claims. The dependent claims show other features of the present invention or variants of the main solution proposed.
[0015] In accordance with the aforesaid objects and to solve the aforesaid technical problem in a new and original manner, also obtaining considerable advantages with respect to the prior art, an electronic mobility aid platform according to the present invention to facilitate the movements of a user in an environment comprises at least one interfacing device which can be carried by a user and provided with first communication means, and a plurality of signalling apparatuses, each suitable to be associated with a utility and each provided with second communication means configured at least to receive a signal from the first communication means which is indicative of the presence of a user near the respective utility and a processing unit configured to process the received signal and transmit a command signal to the utility to modify the operation and/or behaviour thereof as a function of the presence of the user near the respective utility.
[0016] The platform according to the invention is in particular adapted to allow a user, even disadvantaged, i.e., with a physical or psychophysical disability, to move autonomously and safely within a road system.
[0017] In the present description and the appended claims, "road system" means the set of roads, pavements, bike paths, pedestrian and non-pedestrian crossing points, and also intersection points, such as a traffic light intersection, level crossings at railway tracks or tram track crossings which form an urban and extra-urban road network of an area.
[0018] The term "utility" means a component and/or a part of the road system, such as a traffic light, a level crossing, a street, a square and the like or even a shop, an office or possibly a house, placed along a street.
[0020] According to an aspect of the present invention, said first and second communication means comprise respective transceivers adapted to receive and transmit radio frequency or radio wave location signals.
[0021] In doing so, at the very least the advantage is obtained that it is possible, by means of the aforesaid electronic mobility aid platform, to adapt the surrounding environment, or rather the utilities associated with a respective signalling apparatus, to the presence and possibly to the state of users provided with their own interfacing device, supporting and avoiding, or at the very least limiting, any difficulties or dangers which they may come across during their movements.
[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the interfacing device comprises processing means configured to process location data sent by the signalling apparatuses and provide related guidance signals to the user.
[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the interfacing device comprises one or more detection devices selected from fall sensors, speed sensors, collision sensors and/or GPS locators and the processing means are configured to detect signals sent by the one or more detection devices, so as to detect a possible state of difficulty in the mobility of the user, for example due to a fall, and to command sending relative signalling data of the state of difficulty to at least one of the signalling apparatuses.
[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, said processing unit is configured to also receive the data detected by said detection devices and process and transmit the command signal for said utility also as a function of such received data.
[0025] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the processing unit is configured to directly control the utility and/or to send information to an operator, indicating the need to act on the utility.
[0026] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, in the case of visually impaired users, who normally use walking canes, the interfacing device is directly integrated in the cane itself.
[0027] Alternatively, the interfacing device is made as an autonomous component, preferably pocket size, so that it can be easily transported by a user, even housed in a pocket or a handbag.
[0028] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of using an electronic mobility aid platform to facilitate the movements of a user in an environment, comprising at least one interfacing device which can be carried by a user and a plurality of signalling devices, each suitable to be associated with a utility, includes:
- transmitting by means of first communication means of the interfacing device a signal identifying the presence of the user in a given position of the environment;
- receiving the aforesaid signal by means of second communication means of at least one of the signalling apparatuses associated with a utility located near the aforesaid given position;
- processing the received signal by means of a processing unit of the signalling apparatus and transmitting a command signal to the utility to modify the operation and/or behaviour thereof as a function of the presence of the user near the utility.
[0029] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method of use includes sending, by means of the second communication means of the signalling apparatuses, location signals related to the position of the respective utility to which they are associated, to provide relative guidance signals to the user by means of the interfacing device.
[0030] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method of use envisages that the processing means of the interfacing device receive signals sent by one or more detection devices so as to identify a possible state of difficulty in the mobility of the user and command the sending of related signalling data of the state of difficulty of the user to at least one of the signalling apparatuses, whose processing unit processes and transmits the command signal to its utility also as a function of the data received.
[0031] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, at least one signalling apparatus is associated with a bus and the method includes recognising the presence of a user provided with the interfacing device near a bus stop and envisages that the command signal comprises providing advance notice to the bus driver prior to the stop so that the driver can appropriately stop the bus.
[0032] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, at least one signalling apparatus is associated with a traffic light and the method includes detecting the presence of a user provided with the interfacing device near the traffic light and envisages that the command signal determines a temporary increase of a duration of the pedestrian crossing time.
[0033] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, if a fall sensor provided on the interfacing device is activated during the crossing and/or a signal of a state of difficulty of the user is received, the processing unit of the signalling apparatus associated with the traffic light transmits an additional command signal to the traffic light to temporarily further prolong the pedestrian crossing time.
[0034] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, at least one signalling apparatus is associated with a road, an intersection or a building for commercial use and the command signal determines the transmission of an audible message to communicate its location to the user.
ILLUSTRATION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the disclosure of some embodiments, provided by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- fig. 1 is a schematic depiction of an electronic mobility aid platform according to the present invention;
- figures 2 and 3 are views of a cane in which an interfacing device of the electronic mobility aid platform of fig.1 is integrated, in use configurations;
- fig. 4 is a schematic depiction, in use, of the electronic mobility aid platform of fig.1.
[0036] It should be noted that, in the present disclosure, the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the accompanying drawings, even as disclosed, have the sole purpose of illustrating and explaining the present invention, since their function is illustrative and not limited to the invention itself, the scope of protection thereof being defined by the claims.
[0037] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the figures. It should be noted that elements and features of an embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarification.
DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0038] With reference to figure 1, an electronic mobility aid platform 10 according to the present invention for facilitating the movements of a user 100 in an environment 200 (fig. 4) comprises at least one interfacing device 11 which can be carried by the user 100 and one or more signalling apparatuses 26, 27, 28, in particular a plurality thereof, each associated with a respective utility 201, 202, 203 integrated in or cooperating with said environment 200.
[0039] The interfacing device 11 and the signalling apparatuses 26, 27, 28 comprise respective first 13 and second communication means 14 configured for the mutual communication between the interfacing device 11 and one or more of the signalling apparatuses 26, 27, 28.
[0040] The communication means 13, 14 can comprise transceiver devices 16, 17 adapted to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals, near-field signals such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) or NCF (Near Field Communication), signals emitted by medium-range communication devices such as Bluetooth and/or long-range devices such as GSM or satellite devices, and/or the like. The transceiver devices 16, 17 comprise an antenna for transmitting the aforesaid signals.
[0041] Said first communication means 13 are configured to communicate feedback data, i.e., signals identifying the presence of a user 100 to one or more of the signalling apparatuses 26, 27, 28.
[0042] "Feedback data" means data, or signals, related to the presence, position and/or status of the user 100, for example data indicating that the user 100 is near/approaching a utility 201, 202, 203 of the environment 200, that they are moving and the speed with which they are moving, that they have difficulty walking, for example that the user 100 has fallen, and/or the like.
[0043] The second communication means 14 of the apparatuses 26, 27, 28 are configured to communicate location data to the interfacing device 11.
[0044] "Location data" means data related to the presence, position and/or state of the respective utility 201, 202, 203 to which a respective signalling apparatus 26, 27, 28 of the environment 200 is associated, for example, the position/proximity of a traffic light 201, the position or approaching speed of a bus 202 (fig. 4), the proximity of a certain area such as a road 203, a square and/or the like.
[0045] The interfacing device 11 is an electronic device which can be autonomous and carried, for example pocket size, so that it can be housed in a pocket or a handbag, or even worn for example as a bracelet, a pendant or the like.
[0046] According to embodiments, the interfacing device 11 can also be integrable in, or associable with, a walking aid device. For example, as depicted in figures 2 and 3, said interfacing device 11 can be integrated in a cane 50 for the visually impaired, preferably at the grip portion thereof.
[0048] In particular, the cane 50, to which said interfacing device 11 can be associated, comprises a plurality of segments 51 mutually connected to each other with connection elements 52, a tip portion 53 placed, in use, in contact with the ground and the aforesaid grip portion.
[0049] In accordance with embodiments, the interfacing device 11 is configured to be replaced at any one of the segments 51, the tip portion 53 or grip portion of a known cane, preferably to be integrated in the grip.
[0050] The connection elements 52 can be configured to allow a mutual engagement between the ends of the segments 51 and/or tip portion 53 or grip, so that they can be inserted and/or engaged in each other to allow the use of the cane 50 (fig. 2), or can be disengaged (Fig. 3) and folded adjacent to each other when the cane 50 is not in use, so as to reduce encumbrance.
[0051] In accordance with this embodiment, it can be envisaged that each segment 51 is provided at one end of an engagement portion, and at the opposite end of a housing seat. The engagement portion and the housing seat of each segment 51 cooperate with the housing seat, or respectively with the engagement portion, of the segments 51 located respectively upstream and downstream of the segment 51 considered.
[0052] The connection elements 52 can comprise pins associated with the ends of the segments 51 and elastic retaining elements between one segment 51 and the other which elastically connect and retain the segments 51 to each other.
[0053] The interfacing device 11 comprises one or more detection devices 21, chosen from fall sensors, collision sensors, speed sensors, GPS locators and/or the like. For example, the fall sensors can be accelerometers, ultrasonic sensors or the like; the collision sensors can be optical sensors, ultrasonic sensors or the like.
[0054] Advantageously, such detection devices 21 can increase the safety of the user 100, allowing to know their position and/or a possible state of difficulty.
[0055] The interfacing device 11 comprises processing means 18 which are configured to process the location data sent by one or more of the apparatuses 26, 27, 28 and to provide related guidance signals to the user 100.
[0056] "Guidance signals" means signals of a sonorous type, such as sounds and/or phrases, of an optical type, such as flashing or non-flashing lights with appropriate sequences, writings and/or images, vibrations and/or the like. For example, for a visually impaired or blind person, the guiding signal can be a phrase emitted by a speaker, for a deaf person it can be an appropriate vibration sequence, for a wheelchair user it can be an image or a writing on a screen 19.
[0057] Advantageously, the user 100 can thereby be aided in walking within the environment 200, possibly limiting possible hazardous situations.
[0058] The processing means 18 are configured to command the sending, by the aforesaid communication means 13, of feedback data to one or more apparatuses 26, 27, 28. For example, they can be configured to communicate feedback data related to the presence of the user 100.
[0059] Said processing means 18 are configured to detect signals sent by the one or more detection devices 21 so as to identify a possible state of difficulty in the walking of the user 100 and to command the sending of related signalling data of the difficulty of the user 100 to at least one of the apparatuses 26, 27, 28.
[0060] Said processing means 18 are preferably configured to command sending feedback data and/or guidance signals to the user 100 automatically; alternatively, they can be configured to command sending only following a command received by the user 100. Said processing means 18 are configured to control the emission of support signals for the user 100.
[0061] "Support signals" means signals of a sonorous type, such as sounds and/or phrases, of an optical type, such as flashing or non-flashing lights with appropriate sequences, writings and/or images, vibrations and/or the like. For example, the processing means 18 can identify, based on a signal received from a fall sensor, that a blind or visually impaired person has lost the cane 50 or has fallen and emit an audible signal so as to allow aid or cause the cane 50 to be found.
[0062] The processing means 18 comprise a processing module, a memory module and an algorithm executable by said processing module and storable in said memory module.
[0064] The memory module can be one or more among the commercially available memories, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM) or any other form of digital storage.
[0065] The interfacing device 11 comprises interface means 20 for interfacing with the user 100, such as the aforesaid screen 19, a speaker, a piezoelectric motor or the like.
[0066] The interfacing device 11 comprises a casing 22 for housing the aforesaid communication means 13, processing means 18, interface means 20 and detection devices 21.
[0067] As in fig. 4, the apparatuses 26, 27, 28 can be an electronic apparatus 26 positionable or integrable on components present in the road system, for example a bus 202, an electronic apparatus 27 positionable on or integrable in a part of the road system, for example a traffic light 201, an electronic apparatus 28 positionable at a point of the road system such as a road 203, a pavement, an intersection, or an entrance to a commercial business, for example a bar, a shop, a public office, and the like.
[0068] In addition to the aforesaid communication means 14, the apparatuses 26, 27, 28 comprise a processing unit 29 configured to process feedback data sent by the interfacing device 11 to detect the presence and/or state of the user 100 and adapt the environment 200, in particular the utilities 201, 202, 203 near the user 100, to the aforesaid presence and/or state.
[0069] The processing unit 29 is configured to process the aforesaid feedback data and transmit a command signal to the utility 201, 202, 203 to modify the operation and/or behaviour thereof as a function of the presence of the user 100 in its proximity.
[0070] The processing unit 29 is configured to also receive the data detected by the detection devices 21 and process and transmit the aforesaid control signal for the utility 201, 202, 203 also as a function of such data.
[0071] The processing unit 29 is configured to directly command the utility 201, 202, 203 and/or to send information to an operator, by means of an appropriate interface 30, to indicate the need to act on the utility 201, 202, 203.
[0072] For example, an electronic apparatus 27 of a traffic light 201 can act on a control unit thereof to increase the time for crossing an intersection, if it detects the presence of an interfacing device 11 of a user 100, or block the intersection, if it detects the impossibility of the user 100 to complete the crossing, for example due to a fall, until they resume and end the crossing.
[0073] Further, an electronic apparatus 26 positioned on a bus 202 can provide advance notice to the driver of the bus 202 that the user 100 is present near a bus stop before reaching the bus stop, such that the driver can stop the bus in a position such as to facilitate the user 100 in boarding, or can actuate - or instruct the driver to use - a disabled lift platform.
[0074] The processing unit 29 comprises a processing module, a memory module, and an algorithm executable by the processing module and storable in the memory module.
[0075] The processing module, or CPU, can be a microcontroller, microprocessor, microcomputer, processor or the like.
[0076] The memory module can be one or more among the commercially available memories, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), or read-only memory (ROM), or any other local or remote digital storage.
[0077] The apparatuses 26, 27, 28 can comprise the aforesaid interface means 30 for interfacing with an operator. For example, the interface means 30 are a display 31, for interfacing with a driver of a bus 202.
[0078] The operation of the electronic mobility aid platform 10 described above, which corresponds to the method of use according to the present invention, comprises processing feedback data, sent by the interfacing device 11, by means of the processing unit 29 of the one or more apparatuses 26, 27, 28 to detect the presence and/or state of the user 100 and consequently adapt the environment 200 to their presence and/or state.
[0079] The method envisages that the interfacing device 11, by means of the processing means 18, processes the location data sent by one or more of the apparatuses 26, 27, 28 and provides related guidance signals to the user 100.
[0080] For example, one or more electronic apparatuses 27, 28 can transmit location data which is received by an interfacing device 11, integrated in a cane 50, which emits an audio signal related to the position of the user 100 in the environment 200.
[0081] The method envisages that the processing means 18 receive signals sent by one or more detection devices 21 and command the sending of relative feedback data, to identify a state of difficulty in the mobility of the user 100.
[0082] For example, the feedback data can may be a signal sent by a fall sensor and a position sent by a GPS locator. The identification of the state of difficulty can be performed by the processing means 18, and the feedback data is thus a datum indicating the state of difficulty.
[0083] As a further example, the identification of the state of difficulty can be performed by the processing unit 29; the feedback data related to the fall sensor can then be processed by the processing unit 29 together with a location datum thereof.
[0084] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts can be made to the electronic mobility aid platform 10 and method disclosed herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
[0085] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art will be able to make many other equivalent forms of electronic mobility aid platforms and related use method, having the features expressed in the claims and therefore all of which falling within the scope of protection defined thereby.
1. An electronic platform (10) for aiding the mobility of a user (100) in an environment
(200), comprising at least one interfacing device (11) which can be carried by the
user (100) and provided with first communication means (13) and a plurality of signalling
apparatuses (26, 27, 28), each suitable for being associated with a utility (201,
202, 203) and each provided with second communication means (14) configured at least
to receive from said first communication means (13) a signal which is indicative of
the presence of a user (100) near the respective utility (201, 202, 203) and a processing
unit (29) configured to process said received signal and transmit a command signal
to said utility (201, 202, 203) for modifying the operation and/or behaviour thereof.
2. Platform (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that said first (13) and second communication means (14) comprise respective transceivers
(16, 17) adapted to receive and transmit radio frequency or radio wave location signals.
3. Platform (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said interfacing device (11) comprises processing means (18) configured to process
location data sent by said signalling apparatuses (26, 27, 28) and provide related
guidance signals to said user (100).
4. Platform (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said interfacing device (11) comprises one or more detection devices (21) chosen
from fall sensors, speed sensors, collision sensors and/or GPS locators and said processing
means (18) are configured to detect signals sent by said one or more detection devices
(21), so as to identify a possible state of difficulty in the mobility of the user
(100), and to command sending related signal data of said state of difficulty of said
user (100) to at least one of said signalling apparatuses (26, 27, 28).
5. Platform (10) according to claim 4, characterised in that said processing unit (29) is configured to also receive the data detected by said
detection devices (21) and process and transmit said command signal for said utility
(201, 202, 203) also as a function of the received data.
6. Platform (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said processing unit (29) is configured to directly command said utility (201, 202,
203) and/or to send information to an operator indicating the need to act on the utility
(201, 202, 203).
7. Platform (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said interfacing device (11) is integrated in a cane (50) for the visually impaired.
8. Platform (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said interfacing device (11) is an autonomous, pocket-sized component.
9. Method for using an electronic platform (10) for aiding the mobility of a user (100)
in an environment (200), comprising at least one interfacing device (11) which can
be carried by a user (100) and a plurality of signalling apparatuses (26, 27, 28),
each suitable to be associated with a utility (201, 202, 203), wherein it is envisaged
to:
- transmit by means of first communication means (13) of said interfacing device (11) a signal identifying the presence of said user (100) in a given position of said environment (200);
- receive said signal by means of second communication means (14) of at least one of said signalling apparatuses (26, 27, 28) associated with a utility (201, 202, 203) located near said given position;
- process said signal by means of a processing unit (29) of said signalling apparatuses (26, 27, 28) and transmit to said utility (201, 202, 203) a command signal to modify the operation and/or behaviour thereof based on the presence of said user (100) near said utility (201, 202, 203).
10. Method according to claim 9, characterised in that it sends, by means of said second communication means (14) of said signalling apparatuses
(26, 27, 28), location signals related to the position of the respective utility (201,
202, 203) to which they are associated, to provide related guidance signals to said
user (100) by means of said interfacing device (11).
11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that processing means (18) of said interfacing device (11) receive signals sent by one
or more detection devices (21) so as to identify a possible state of difficulty in
the mobility of said user (100) and command sending related signalling data of said
state of difficulty of said user (100) to at least one of said signalling apparatuses
(26, 27, 28) and said processing unit (29) processes and transmits said command signal
to the utility (201, 202, 203) thereof also as a function of the received data.
12. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein at least one signalling apparatus
(26) is associated with a bus (202) and said method includes recognising the presence
of a user (100) provided with said interfacing device (11) near a stop of said bus
in said environment (200) and said command signal comprises providing advance notice
to the driver of said bus (202) before said stop so that said driver can stop said
bus (202) in an appropriate manner.
13. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein at least one signalling apparatus
(27) is associated with a traffic light (201) and said method includes detecting the
presence of a user (100) provided with said interfacing device (11) near said traffic
light (201) and said command signal determines a temporary increase of a duration
of the pedestrian crossing time.
14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that if a fall sensor provided on said interfacing device (11) is activated during the
crossing and/or a signal signalling a state of difficulty of said user (100) is received,
said processing unit (29) of the signalling apparatus (27) associated with said traffic
light (201) transmits a further command signal to said traffic light (201) to temporarily
further prolong the pedestrian crossing time.
15. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein at least one signalling apparatus
(28) is associated with a road (203), an intersection or a building for commercial
use and said command signal determines the transmission of an audible message to communicate
the location thereof to said user (100).