Development of Obstacle Alarm for the Visually Impaired

시각 장애인을 위한 장애물 경보기의 개발

In this paper, we propose the sound-mapping algorithm of the detected obstacle by ultrasonic sensors. We apply this algorithm to a Obstacle alarm for the visually impaired. In our system, we acquire obstacles information using ultrasonic sensors, and transform two-dimensional and distance information into sound-imaging information and vibrator with azimuth (direction) and distance. We implement this system with ultrasonic sensors to more effective expression of the obstacle information. The distance of an obstacle can be expressed by sound pressure level, and azimuth of the obstacles can be expressed by inter-aural time difference (ITD) and inter-aural level difference (ILD) that are two important cues in a binaural system. These are the principal cues for sound localization, to detect sound source. In this system, the obstacle is substituted with a sound source. The visually impaired receive sound information of obstacles by headphone.