• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.366-372
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• 2016

This paper advances the software, hardware and mechanical design that the visually impaired can recognize the position and distance of the obstacle while walking. The first software implementation is proposed a method to implement the algorithm graph for the ratio of the distance measuring ultrasonic sensors for voltage. And it was extracted by the precise distance measuring parameter values from simulation to measure the precise distance. Second hardware implementation was designed to be able to detect obstacles in a relatively simple sensor-based walking aid for the visually impaired. In addition, using the switching regulator IC of high performance it was designed to be used to boost the Li-ion battery 3.7V to 5V. The third mechanism was developed by analyzing the sensor angle and the cane angle.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1241-1248
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• 2019

In this paper, an auxiliary device was implemented to help blind people more safely from obstacles or risk factors while walking. The ultrasonic sensors detect obstacles in the front, so that the noise gap and the vibration intensity of the buzzer can be heard differently by distance and angle, and so the situation can be perceived by pedestrians. When the ambient light becomes darker than the light intensity set using the CdS resistance value of the light sensor, the LED automatically turns on, makes it easier for pedestrians to recognize the position of the auxiliary device through buzzer if the pedestrian misses the aid using the gyro sensor's slope. Moreover, the location and situation of the blind were transmitted to the caregiver to check safety and behavior using GPS and Bluetooth.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.533-538
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• 2017

In this thesis, the ambulatory aid mechanism was implemented so that blind people could be safer at risk of walking outdoors. Using ultrasonic sensors, the obstacles can be detected when the distance between the obstacle is within 50 cm of the obstacle. If the light sensor becomes less than 25 lux, the LED will automatically turn on and help the safety of the visually impaired and the security of sight of the peripheral walkers. Color recognition sensors increase the rate of recognition of yellow color by the detection distance is 1cm, it vibrated when yellow light was detected. Using GPS with 7.3 m of error range, the guardian was able to check the location of the visually impaired.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.543-554
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• 1995

This paper describes the improvement of driving stability and the control system for INMEL-VII which is motorized manual wheelchair to satisfy requirements of the disabled The INMEL-VI was based on high maneuverability of the omnidirection drive and safety But the results of field tests about two years showed some problems to the disabled in daily life such as driving stability, Pm switching noise, and rotation of motor without driving command on negative slope. To solve the problems due to an increased DC motor power and applied to direct connection method in INMEL- VII. It improved the driving circuits and set switching frequency to 5KHz to eliminate the switching noise caused by PWM control of DC motor, As compare with the INMEL-VI, INMEL-VII is improved in driving stability by transfer the weight center to forward. The results of field testing proved the improvement of the driving stability and software algorithm It has been estimated to have a hlgh practical use for powered walking aids to the disabled's daily life.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to discern the effects of a balance training program on the performance of lower extremities in order to improve strength (muscle power, flexibility, walking power), balance control and walking ability in the elderly. The subjects selected were aged 65 years and over, with no known relevant medical history that may disturb their balance, and have also been visiting the Gimhae Senior Welfare Center. The variable group consisted of 30 subjects, of whom were people who had been participating in balance training programs (One Leg Standing; OLS, Functional Reach; FR, Timed Get Up and Go; TUG) as an intervention for 8 weeks 3 times per a week. They were examined in order to identify their balance control before and after. The control group consisted of thirty subjects who preferred to exercise without any intervention relating to balance training program. The subjects were measured before and after balance training in order to determine the effectiveness of exercise and the effectiveness of exercise combined with the aid of a Balance Performance Monitor. 1. Mean time on OLS test with left and right sided extremities in the experimental group was 35.44 sec, 42.10 sec longer than control group respectively. In FR tests applied to the left and right side, mean reaching distance was increased up to 5.56 cm, 6.73 cm in experimental group respectively. Mean time on TUG test from a chair in experimental group was decreased to 2.33 sec. 2. Mean value of decline in the level balance control, both left and right side, decreased to 2.24% as examined by the Balance Performance Monitor. Mean scores for sway level after balance training decrease to .98% and for balance control both anterior and posterior directions decreased to mean 1.07% and 1.44%, respectively.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.64-73
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• 2011

After stroke, many people have problems with balance during movement. Balance is essential for the optimal functioning of the locomotor system and the performance of many activities of daily living. The Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) is a clinical tool for evaluating balance ability during walking. The test consists of ten tasks, seven tasks of the Dynamic Gait Index and three additional tasks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and internal consistency of data obtained with the Korean version of the FGA when used with people after suffering a stroke. One-hundred participants, at least three months poststroke and able to walk at least six meters with or without a walking aid, participated in the study (age range=30~83 years; $mean{\pm}SD=58.8{\pm}10.9$). Two physical therapists and two physical therapy students rated the FGA. Intrarater and interrater reliability of the FGA were assessed using kappa statistic and intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1). The internal consistency of the FGA was assessed using the Cronbach alpha. The Cronbach alpha was good (${\alpha}$=.86~.93). The intrarater (intraclass correlation coefficient=.92~.95) and interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=.91, .95) of the total scores administered by the therapists and students were good, whereas the reliability for single item scores when administered by the physical therapists was moderate to good (kapa value=.42~.97). This study found that intrarater and interrater reliability for total FGA scores and internal consistency were good. Therefore, the Korean version of the FGA can be used as a reliable tool to assess the functional gait performance of patients after stroke.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.25-30
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• 2017

In this Paper, we Propose the Low-cost Obstacle Recognition System Utilizing the Ultrasonic Sensor. Developed Obstacle Recognition System can be used to Aid the Visually Impaired Person. The Existence of the Obstacle is Notified to the Person through the Embodied Electronic Vibration Motor. The Timing Difference from the Recognition to the Notification Indicates the Distance to the Obstacle. Pulsed Ultrasonic Signal Controlled by MCU is Utilized and the Reflected Pulse through the Obstacle gives the Developed System the Existence of the Obstacle and the Distance to the Object. Pulse is sent Repetitively to Improve the Detection Accuracy. Developed Apparatus gives 30 Degree of Detection Angle and 2cm-30cm of the Detection Range when the Apparatus is Tested under Normal Walking Environment.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.28-38
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• 2009

Background : Peripheral nerve injuries are a commonly encountered clinical problem and often result in a chronic pain and severe functional deficits. Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (G. M. Radix) on the pain control and the recovery of the locomotor function that results from the sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Method : Using rats, we crushed their sciatic nerve, and then orally administered the aqueous extract of G. M. Radix. The effects of G. M. Radix on the recovery locomotor function were investigated by walking track analysis. The effects of G. M. Radix on pain control were investigated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the sciatic nerve, and c-Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus and in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG). Result : G. M. RADIX facilitates motor function from the locomotor deficit, and thereby increased BDNF expression and suppressed painful stimuli in the PVN and vlPAG after sciatic crushed nerve injury. Conclusion : It is suggested that G. M. Radix might aid recovery locomotor function and control pain after sciatic crushed nerve injury. Further studies on identifying specific the component in G.M. Radix associated with enhanced neural activity in the peripheral nerve injury may be helpful to develop therapeutic strategies for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• no.26
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• pp.112-120
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• 2001

This study investigated the extend to which the facilities satisfactorily accommodate people with different disabilities and their specific needs for improving the facilities. Systematic interviews were conducted with 90 disabled people using the non-propertionate stratified cluster random sampling method. Frequency analysis, Chi-square tests, Duncan tests, and analysis of variance(ANOVA) were employed for data analysis. The findings indicated that the respondents' assessment of accommodations and needs for improving accommodations differed by the type of disabilities. People with physical disabilities were the least satisfied with stairs, followed by seating in stadiums and/or theaters. For people with visual disabilities, the lack of guidance and information facilities was the most difficult problem. People with hearing disabilities often pointed out difficulties in using public telephones. meanwhile, people with physical disabilities asked for easy access to assistive devices and improved mobility-related circumstances. yet people with visual disabilities expected to improve way-finding relevant issues, such as detectable warnings on walking surfaces and guidance and information facilities, whereas people with hearing disabilities desired to develop hearing-aid equipments, such as TDD and assistive listening systems.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2014

This paper describes the design concept of a bio-inspired legged underwater and estimating its performance by implementing simulations. Especially the leg structure of an underwater organism, diving beetles, is fully adopted to our designing to employ its efficiency for swimming. To make it possible for the robot to both walk and swim, the transformable kinematic model according to applications of the leg is proposed. To aid in the robot development and estimate swimming performance of the robot in advance, an underwater simulator has been constructed and an approximated model based on the developing robot was set up in the simulation. Furthermore, previous work that we have done, the swimming locomotion produced by a swimming patten generator based on the control parameters, is briefly mentioned in the paper and adopted to the simulation for extensive studies such as path planning and control techniques. Through the results, we established the strategy of leg joints which make the robot swim in the three dimensional space to reach effective controls.