06-07-2012, 04:27 PM
BUS IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR VISION IMPAIRED
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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
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 s
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.
¢ Advantage: An attractive approach if it is possible to receive the transmitted
VIT signal.
¢ Disadvantage: VIPs will need to locate the bus once it has been identified.
This becomes more difficult when there are multiple buses waiting at a common bus stop.
VIP Carries a Transmitter œ Bus Carries
Receiver
¢ Advantage: Bus drivers will know if a VIP is in the vicinity and is looking to catch that particular bus. This approach solves the problem with multiple buses, as bus drivers can find a VIP even though a VIP cannot identify a particular bus from a group of possible buses.
¢ Disadvantage: VIPs have no indication of when and if the bus is arriving.
VIP and Bus Carry a Transceiver
¢ Advantage: Inherits the advantages and overcomes the disadvantages of the first two approaches.
¢ Disadvantage: Requires the development of two transceivers. This increases the cost of production and may affect the financial feasibility of the product. It also significantly increases the complexity of the project.
selection of Communication Approach
It can be seen that the last approach involving a transceiver pair would be the most attractive option in terms of providing the best service to VIPs, whilst solving the
—multiple bus“ problem. Unfortunately, the development of such a product would require more time than is available for this particular project. The most suitable approach is the first, where the bus has a transmitter and the VIP has a receiver. It provides better service to the VIP than the second approach, as the VIP is given some indication of the arriving bus.
In all communication approaches, it can be seen that either the bus and/or VIP carries
a device which acts as a beacon to the other. The system will therefore be called the
BEACON system.
Given the choice of communication approach, it can be seen that the development stages in Figure 4-1 still applies. This structure can now be used to produce different approaches for actual development
[attachment=27008]
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
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 s
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.
¢ Advantage: An attractive approach if it is possible to receive the transmitted
VIT signal.
¢ Disadvantage: VIPs will need to locate the bus once it has been identified.
This becomes more difficult when there are multiple buses waiting at a common bus stop.
VIP Carries a Transmitter œ Bus Carries
Receiver
¢ Advantage: Bus drivers will know if a VIP is in the vicinity and is looking to catch that particular bus. This approach solves the problem with multiple buses, as bus drivers can find a VIP even though a VIP cannot identify a particular bus from a group of possible buses.
¢ Disadvantage: VIPs have no indication of when and if the bus is arriving.
VIP and Bus Carry a Transceiver
¢ Advantage: Inherits the advantages and overcomes the disadvantages of the first two approaches.
¢ Disadvantage: Requires the development of two transceivers. This increases the cost of production and may affect the financial feasibility of the product. It also significantly increases the complexity of the project.
selection of Communication Approach
It can be seen that the last approach involving a transceiver pair would be the most attractive option in terms of providing the best service to VIPs, whilst solving the
—multiple bus“ problem. Unfortunately, the development of such a product would require more time than is available for this particular project. The most suitable approach is the first, where the bus has a transmitter and the VIP has a receiver. It provides better service to the VIP than the second approach, as the VIP is given some indication of the arriving bus.
In all communication approaches, it can be seen that either the bus and/or VIP carries
a device which acts as a beacon to the other. The system will therefore be called the
BEACON system.
Given the choice of communication approach, it can be seen that the development stages in Figure 4-1 still applies. This structure can now be used to produce different approaches for actual development