A system and method for assisting a visually impaired user including an imaging device, a processing unit for receiving images from the imaging device and converting the images into signals for use by one or more controllers, and one or more vibro-tactile devices, wherein the one or more controllers activates one or more of the vibro-tactile devices in response to said signals received from the processing unit. The system preferably includes a lanyard to be worn around the neck of the user such that a first vibro-tactile device is arranged on the right side of the user's neck, a second vibro-tactile device on a left side of the user's neck, and a third vibro-tactile device at the back portion of the user's neck. The vibro-tactile devices are activated depending on a determined position in front of the user of an object and the distance from the user to the object.

Systems and methods for automatic adjustment of a wearable device are provided. One embodiment of a method includes determining whether a navigation sensor is in a desired position and, in response to determining that the navigation sensor is not in a desired position, determining a desired modification to the navigation sensor for achieving the desired position. Some embodiments include determining a change of a repositioning device for achieving the desired modification to the navigation sensor and actuating the repositioning device to implement the change.

An improved white cane includes an elongate body having a proximal end adapted to be held by or secured to a human user and a distal tip, and a noise generator located proximate the distal tip, the noise generator being configured to generate sound within a range of frequencies audible to humans. The user is able to interpret differences in reflected sound as the white cane is moved about the user's surroundings to obtain more information about the surroundings than could be obtained using a normal white cane. Additionally, the information about the surroundings may become available to the user before that information might otherwise have been available to the user using a standard white cane.

The present invention regards a sole for shoes including an upper surface, in use facing the user, a lower surface, in use facing the ground or the resting surface, and a thickness, wherein the thickness corresponds to a distance between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein the sole includes at least one signaling means. Such at least one signaling means includes at least one vibrating motor, capable of vibrating inside such sole and/or at least one light device and the sole includes means for receiving-processing a control signal (sc) intended, in use, to receive and process such control signal (sc) and to emit in reply an activation-deactivation signal (S) towards such at least one signaling means.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a mobile device determines a current position and direction; detects objects within an area including the current position; collects first data regarding the objects; buffers the first data; and transmits the first data to a remote system responsive to the mobile device reaching a boundary of the area. The method also comprises obtaining a map of the area from the remote device; the map includes information based on second data previously collected regarding objects in the area, the second data includes a position indicator and a direction indicator for each of the second objects indexed by the current position, and the remote device aggregates the first data and the second data to generate an updated map of the area. Navigation instructions are generated based on the current position and the map, Other embodiments are disclosed.

Geospatial data can be converted into audio outputs. For example, a system can receive a dataset indicating geospatial locations of objects within a region. Based on the dataset, the system can generate a virtual map representing the region and including virtual points representing the objects. The virtual points can be spatially positioned at locations in the virtual map corresponding to the geospatial locations of the objects in the region. The system can receive a user input via a user input device for interacting with a particular virtual point among the virtual points in the virtual map. The system can determine one or more sound characteristics for a sound based on receiving the user input. The system can then transmit an audio signal to an audio device for causing the audio device to generate the sound having the one or more sound characteristics, which may assist with exploring the virtual map.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate aids for the visually impaired.

An assistant guiding system includes a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, a server, and an earphone assembly. The plurality of RFID tags is located at a predetermined area, and each RFID tag pre-stores an identification number of the predetermined area. The server stores scenic spot introduction information of the predetermined area. The earphone assembly communicates with a portable electronic device of tourists, and the portable electronic device downloads the scenic spot introduction information from the server. The earphone assembly includes a reading module and a transmission module. The reading module reads the identification number from the RFID tag. The transmission module sends the identification number to the portable electronic device. The scenic spot introduction information corresponding to the identification number of the predetermined area is played or displayed on the portable electronic device.

Systems and methods for communicating with a guide animal are provided. One embodiment of a method includes determining a first command to provide to a user to proceed to a destination, determining a second command to provide to the guide animal to correspond with the first command, and outputting the first command to direct the user toward the destination. Some embodiments include outputting the second command to direct the guide animal toward the destination, where the second command is outputted to be imperceptible by the user but is perceptible by the guide animal.

Disclosed are systems, computer-readable mediums, and methods for receiving, from a sensor array, three-dimensional sensory data associated with an environment of a person. The three-dimensional sensory data is converted into a two-dimensional representation. An obstacle is located within the environment based upon the sensory data. The obstacle is mapped onto the two-dimensional representation and the two-dimensional representation is mapped onto a plurality of actuators within a vibrotactile interface. One or more of a plurality of actuators are controlled based upon the mapping of the two-dimensional representation onto the plurality of actuators to provide tactile input to the person that represents a location of the obstacle.