25-06-2013, 02:54 PM
BUS IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR VISION IMPAIRED
BUS IDENTIFICATION.doc (Size: 800 KB / Downloads: 16)
Abstract
Many commercial products developed allow those with disabilities to substantially improve their quality of life.The use of these devices allows the user to experience the freedom of certain aspects of life such as mobility, communication and other fundamental tasks. Examples of such solutions include cochlear implants, prosthetic limbs and text-to-speech devices. The BEACON follows in this same spirit, by providing visually impaired persons (VIPs) the freedom to independently commute via public bus transportation.
Through the use of BEACON transmitters placed on local buses, VIPs are able to safely catch buses with the aid of a portable handheld device and an audio and tactile interface. The wireless communication system between the transmitter and the portable receiver can be achieved through a number of current technologies. With more exotic approaches like Bluetooth still maturing in terms of financial and performance viability, the cheaper and more ubiquitous approach of radio frequency technology points towards a more feasible solution that can be produced at a reasonable cost for either the direct purchase by VIPs or a government subsidised initiative.
With the aid of the current bus transportation system, the BEACON transmitter is able to filter existing vehicle identification information for retransmission to a nearby VIP. The BEACON receiver is thus able to identify buses and their corresponding routes, and consequently inform the VIP of the bus‘ imminent arrival.
For the purposes of the BEACON prototype, communication is facilitated through FM transmissions at around 90MHz (within the commercial FM broadcast range). In addition, the solution attempts to resolve the problem through one-way communication from bus transmitterto handheld receiver. This project has the potential for vast improvement by implementing a duplex communication system, whereby the bus driver is able to identify the presence of VIPs and vice versa. In this way, the process of catching a bus can be further streamlined for efficiency, convenience and safety.
Activites and goals
The proposed solution involves the development of a device which allows VIPs to detect the arrival of particular buses. To achieve this, each bus will transmit its route information, while a handheld receiver will be used to notify the VIP through audio and tactile interfaces.
On completion of this project, VIPs will be able to catch public buses with the same ease, convenience and safety of the average commuter. As visual cues no longer constrain the distance required to identify a bus, VIPs will benefit from the additional notification time. Such a system will directly influence the quality of life of VIPs, by providing the freedom to travel independently.
The complete scope of the project includes the tasks of identifying, catching and de- boarding a bus; this thesis will only be involved in facilitating the communication required for bus identification
implementation Options
Strategic Options for Communication
In order to solve the problem in consideration, we must start with the user requirement of providing audio notification and then work backwards in an attempt to achieve the desired outcome. The five stages of the development process are shown
in Figure 4-1. It can be seen that the above situation involves the one-way transmission of data
from bus transmitter to VIP receiver. This approach has been guided by the known fact that BCC buses already transmit their details. However, this is not the only approach that can be taken. The three options for communication are detailed below.
Retransmission Approach
If any of the stages in the VIT-Integration Approach cannot be achieved, then the entire transmitter-receiver communication link needs to be redesigned. Before the Retransmission Approach can be pursued, further research needs to be completed including the generation of additional specifications and implementation options.
Discussion and Conclusion
The objective of the project was to provide vision impaired persons with the ability to safely and conveniently catch public buses. Through the use of transmitter and receiver devices, communication between the buses and VIPs could be established.
Upon reflection of the prototype‘s developmental outcomes, it can be seen that the project has made significant progress in terms of understanding and profiling the situation and the needs of VIPs. The resulting prototype was able to successfully demonstrate the concept of bus identification via a one-way communication link between a BEACON transmitter and BEACON receiver.
Through an analysis of the experimental results, it can be seen that the prototype has many opportunities for improvement. These include the elimination of manual frequency tuning, the reduction of frequency drift, and an improvement on the data transmission rate. Recommendations for further development are centred around the prototyping of a duplex communication link involving a transceiver pair.