The guidance system of the invention includes at least two spaced, permanently magnetized regions that each produce a magnetic field. The two permanently magnetized regions can be provided at either side of another region that produces a magnetic field of less intensity than the permanently magnetized regions, and in one embodiment, the former region produces no magnetic field. The system may also include portable means for detecting the magnetic fields produced by the permanently magnetized regions, and that sensor may be mounted to a cane for use by a person. In another embodiment, the permanently magnetized regions contrast with either each other or the region that produces a magnetic field of less intensity, or have different surface characteristics, or both.
A guiding device and method to provide information about a path traveled by a user. The device features a cane having a magnet mounted on a distal end. The magnet is attracted to a magnetic pathway formed on a walking surface by a buried cable or applied surface. Nodes positioned at points or intersections along the magnetic path have magnetic switches triggering a broadcast of additional information to the user concerning the magnetic path at the triggered node and along any divergent magnetic paths extending from the node. The device and method can be used to aid visually impaired and even sighted people around areas of residence such as homes and hotels, and public places such as airports and zoos.
The invention relates mainly to a concrete pavement tile, which produces a clearly recognizable sound when touched with a blind person's cane or a white stick. In practice it appears useful to incorporate sound sources in guide paths for the blind. The invention has solved this problem by providing a pavement tile (1) with an upper plate (3) of metal, which is supported by the tile at its circumference. The plate can be provided with regularly distributed outwardly projecting tears, bumps or ledges (6). Below the plate there is a sound space (2) which can be formed by pressing the plate, upwardly convex, whereas a hollow executed tile gives the same effect.
A tactile identification and direction guidance system and method for blind and otherwise visually impaired persons provides a plurality of substantially identical, longitudinally elongated marker members for support on an underlying walkway in laterally spaced apart, substantially parallel groups having different predetermined numbers of laterally spaced marker members forming different predetermined patterns each identifying and designating a different type of obstacle encountered by the visually impaired person, the person's proper movement required relative to the obstacle being indicated and directed by the positioning of the elongated dimension of the laterally spaced, substantially parallel extending marker members on a predetermined, line of travel orientation relative to the obstacle for proper movement of a person thereby.
Methods and apparatus to sense both discrete and continuous magnetic reference systems installed in the roadway, and provide information to support lateral and, to some extent, longitudinal and vertical vehicle control and/or driver assistance. The position of an object, such as a vehicle, relative to a magnetic reference infrastructure, such as that representing a dividing line on a roadway, is determined by sensing, with a sensor associated with the object, at least one axial field strength component of the magnetic field emitted from the magnetic reference, computing a ratio of the sensed axial field strength components, and then determining the positional offset of the object as a function of the ratio. The lateral offset is independent of the magnetic field strength due to the use of the ratio which cancels out the magnetic field strength. The invention is also capable of providing three-dimensional positioning relative to a magnetic reference.
