ARRAY BASED TACTILE VISION FOR THE BLIND PEOPLE USING MULTI-DIRECTIONAL ULTRASONIC SCANNING OF ENVIRONMENT

摘要

A vibrotactile visual system for the visually impaired people, based on a novel method of echolocation also useful for the other intelligent devices where understanding of obstacle distribution in the surrounding environment is necessary is disclosed. One of the typical implementation of this system comprises an array of ultrasonic transceivers directed in different direction (5, 14), an array ofvibrotactile actuators (18) and electronic circuit module. As this is does not require any bulky laptop or computer for its functionality it is quite lightweight and low cost. This device having a vibrotactile visual interface to the blind person creates very less audio interference with his hearing capability. User also may use it as a supportive traveling aid while using their conventional traveling to get trained on this new system. After getting trained and confidence on this system he may completely rely on this system for his traveling and normal activities. As for using this system users need not to hold anything on his hand they can use their hand for their desired activities.