Vision Impaired Wayfinding with Doppler Velocimeter

描述（由申请人提供）： 我们的目标是使用一种新的创新传感器技术，称为多普勒测速仪（DV），用于解决视障人士在室内的寻路问题。通过执行相对于行走的人的地板运动的多普勒测量，可以确定沿轨迹速度、跨轨迹速度和垂直（向上或向下）速度。根据这些数据，可以从入口处的起点准确计算您在建筑物内的位置。与其他视力受损的室内导航解决方案相比，该技术的重大创新在于，它不需要在建筑物内安装任何昂贵的基础设施来提供寻路。这有可能对为视力受损者提供实用的室内寻路产品产生重大影响。对于盲人或视力低下的人来说，通过不熟悉的建筑物寻找道路是一项具有挑战性的任务。一个人在公共和商业建筑内自由行动的能力是这些人在教育机构、工作和社会环境中融入和独立的一个重要因素。 公共卫生相关性： 目前的估计表明，美国有1200万人患有某种形式的未矫正视力障碍，其中约340万人患有低视力或法律的失明。由于人口趋势，特别是美国人口的老龄化，这些研究预测到2030年这些数字将翻一番。提供独立导航的系统，包括位置确定和前往目的地的方向，是在职业和教育环境中实现充分参与的一个重要方面。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective is to use a new innovative sensor technology called a Doppler velocimeter (DV) for solving the problem of wayfinding indoors for the vision impaired. By performing a Doppler measurement of the floor movement relative to the walking person it is possible to determine the along-track velocity, the cross-track velocity and the vertical (up or down) velocity. From this data it is possible to accurately calculate your position inside a building from a starting point at an entrance. The significant innovation in this technology over other vision impaired indoor navigation solutions is that it does not require any expensive installation of infrastructure within a building to provide wayfinding. This has the potential of having a major impact on providing a practical indoor wayfinding product for the vision impaired. Wayfinding through an unfamiliar building for persons who are blind or have low vision is a challenging task. The ability of a person to move freely within public and commercial buildings is an important factor for integration and independence of these individuals within educational institutions, work and social environments. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Current estimates suggest that there are 12 million people in the U.S who have some form of uncorrected vision impairment, with approximately 3.4 million having low vision or legal blindness. Because of demographic trends, particularly the aging of the American population, these studies project a doubling of these numbers by 2030. A system that provides independent navigation, including location determination and directions to a destination, is an important aspect in achieving full participation within occupational and educational settings.