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Development of Visual Substitute for Blind People

Research Project

Project/Area Number 09555081
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section展開研究
Research Field Intelligent mechanics/Mechanical systems
Research InstitutionOKAYAMA UNIVERSITY

Principal Investigator

TANAKA Yutaka  OKAYAMA UNIV., DEP.OF MECHANICAL ENG., PROFESSOR, 工学部, 教授 (80032944)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) NAGAI Isaku  OKAYAMA UNIV., DEP.OF MECHANICAL ENG., Research Associate, 工学部, 助手 (80294437)
KIMURA Keiichi  HS Laboratory, AquosResearch Co., Researcher, HS研究室, 研究員
GOFUKU Akio  OKAYAMA UNIV., DEP.OF MECHANICAL ENG., PROFESSOR, 工学部, 教授 (20170475)
Project Period (FY) 1997 – 1998
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 1998)
Budget Amount *help
¥6,400,000 (Direct Cost: ¥6,400,000)
Fiscal Year 1998: ¥1,600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000)
Fiscal Year 1997: ¥4,800,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,800,000)
KeywordsMechatronics / Robotics / Visual Substitute and Equipment / Stereo Camera / Electronic Circuit / Electro-Rheological Fluid / Autonomous Running V. / Medical Technology / 視覚障害者 / ERFポンプ / 点字ディスプレイ / 盲導犬ロボット / 歩行補助装置
Research Abstract

The results obtained in this research are summarized as follows :
(1)We have developed three types of compact real-time range finders which are available to act as the eyes of autonomous running vehicles and intelligent robots as well as blind people. These finders, although being constituted of stereo color CCD cameras and simple electronic circuits, can extract several color and bright regions from a scenery image. As a result, this fact made it possible to recognize successively 3-D information on the object surface. In the measurement, (a) a curved surface is firstly divided into small ones according to the difference in surface color and brightness and (b) the distances to the left- and right-hand-side positions of each surface are measured. It was confirmed that the developed devices are applicable to the surface measurements of planes with folded lines and corner edges and of a circular cylinder.
(2)We have developed a Braille display, where several artificial rubber muscles are i … More nstalled and the trial tests have been made on feeding the electro-rheological fluid(ERF) into the muscle for its elongation. In order to make this feeding faster, the dynamic behavior of the ERF in the flow field should be clarified and some feeding method should be developed. In this research we have demonstrated that the response characteristics in the pipe are analyzed on the electric-fluid analogy and produced a pump for feeding the ERF In practice ERF was fed on this driving principle, and a Braille display composed of 8x8 touch points and its controlling device have been developed.
(3)As a preliminary stage for manufacturing a guide robot for the blind, we have developed an autonomous running vehicle on which the range finder was mounted. This is equipped with the visual devices which proceed in real time the video signals from stereo color cameras and has the ability of fixing its eyes on color landmarks, recognizing the meanings of the marks and running on the route designated by the colors. The characteristics of this robot is that it has been provided with the functions of recognizing 3-D self positions and of following its master by being equipped with a controlling computer. The other characteristics of this system are that the real time characteristics and an economical system can be achieved even if the computer is uninstalled. Less

Report

(3 results)
  • 1998 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 1997 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (33 results)

All Other

All Publications (33 results)

  • [Publications] 五福明夫, 田中 豊, 畑山 至: "音響による三次元情報伝達装置の開発" 日本機械学会論文集(C編). 63-608. 1243-1248 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Y.Tanaka, A.Gofuku: "Development and Analysis of an ERF Pressure Control Valve" Journal of Mechatronics. 7-4. 317-335 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Y.Tanaka, Mohamed, Gofuku: "Fusion of Depth Data from two Orthogonal Stereo Pairs" Proc.I.S.on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation. 19-24 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] 五福明夫, 田中 豊, 他: "ルートの移行と走行挙動を考慮したビジュアルサーボによる自律走行法" 日本機械学会論文集(C編). 63-612. 2803-2813 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] 田中 豊, 五福明夫, 中村圭司: "電気-流体類推法による電気粘性流体駆動圧力発生装置の応答性予測" 日本機械学会論文集(C編). 64-621. 1743-1748 (1998)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Y.Tanaka, A.Gofuku, I.Nagai: "Development of a Compact Video-Rate Range Finder and its Application" Proc.of the 3rd Int.Conf.on Advanced Mechatronics, ICAM'98. 1. 97-102 (1998)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] A.Gofuku, Y.Tanaka, I.Nagai: "A Vision-Based Autonomous Running Vehicle to Fix and Recognize Color Landmarks" Proc.of the 3rd Int.Conf.on Advanced Mechatronics, ICAM'98. 1. 109-114 (1998)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] 田中 豊, 五福明夫, 他: "電気粘性効果を利用した流体移送の基礎的研究" 日本機械学会論文集(C編). 64-625. 3450-3456 (1998)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] 五福明夫, 田中 豊, 濱野耕司: "色標識を注視・認識する視覚機能を持った自律走行車" 日本機械学会論文集(C編). 64-626. 3907-3913 (1998)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] A.Gofuku, Y.Tanaka, I.Hatayama: "Development of a Device Transmitting 3-D Scenery Informaton by Sound Signals" Trans.JSME (Ser.C). 63-608. 1243-1248 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Y.Tanaka, A.Gofuku: "Development and Analysis of an ERF Pressure Control Valve" Int.J.of Mechatronics. 7-4. 317-335 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Y.Tanaka, M.Abdellatif, A.Gofuku: "Fusion of Depth Data from Two Orthogonal Stereo Pairs" Proc.Int.Symp.on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space. 19-24 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] A.Gofuku, Y.Tanaka: "Autonomous Running Technique by Visual Servoing Considering Route Transition and Running Behavior" Trans.JSME (Ser.C). 63-612. 2808-2813 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Y.Tanaka, A.Gofuku, K.Nakamura: "Analysis of Electric-Fluid Analogy of Pressure Transmission through an Electric-Rheological Fluid in Annuli" Proc.4th Annual Conf.on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice. 62-67 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] A.Gofuku, Y.Tanaka: "Obstacle Avoidance by Changing Running Path for an Autonomous Running Vehicle Applying Visual Servoing" Proc.4th Annual Conf.on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice. 106-111 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] M.Abdellatif, Y.Tanaka, A.Gofuku, I.Nagai: "Illumination Color from the Blurred Inter-Reflection of a Reference Nose" Computer Vision-ACCV'98, Proc.3rd Asian Conf.on Computer Vision. 11. 208-215 (1998)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Y.Tanaka, A.Gofuku, K.Nakamura: "Predictions Based on Electric-Fluid Method of Dynamic Responses of Pressurizing Devices Drived by Electro-Rheological Fluid" Trans.JSME (Ser.C). 64-621. 1743-1748 (1998)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Y.Tanaka, A.Gofuku, I.Nagai, M.Abdellatif: "Development of a Compact Video-Rate Range Finder and its Application" Proc.3rd Int.Conf.on Advanced Mechatronics, ICAM'98. Vol.1. 97-102 (1998)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] A.Gofuku, Y.Tanaka, I.Nagai: "A Vision-Based Autonomous Running Vehicle to Fix and Recognize Color Landmarks" Proc.3rd Int.Conf.on Advanced Mechatronics, ICAM'98. Vol.1. 109-114 (1998)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Y.Tanaka, A.Gofuku, Y.Mizuno, K.Nakamura: "Fundamental Study of Fluid Transfer using Electro-Rheological Effect" Trans.JSME (Ser.C). 64-625. 3450-3456 (1998)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] A.Gofuku, Y.Tanaka, K.Hamano, I.Nagai: "An Autonomous Running Vehicle Equipped with a Vision System for Fixing and Recognizing Color Landmarks" Trans.JSME (Ser.C). 64-626. 3907-3913 (1998)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] A.Gofuku, Y.Tanaka, J.Tsuboi: "Development of a Flexible Artificial Hand System Equipped with a Slip Sensor" Trans.JSME (Ser.C). (to be printed). (1998)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1998 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] 田中 豊,五福明夫,中村圭司: "電気-流体類推法による電気粘性流体駆動圧力発生装置の応答性予測" 日本機械学会論文集(C編). 64-621. 1743-1748 (1998)

    • Related Report
      1998 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Y.Tanaka,A.Gofuku,I.Nagai: "Development of a Compact Video-Rate Range and its Application" Proc.of the 3rd Int.Conf.on Advanced Mechatronics,ICAM'98. 1. 97-102 (1998)

    • Related Report
      1998 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] A.Gofuku,Y.Tanaka,I.Nagai: "A Vision-Based Autonomous Running Vehicle to Fix and Recongnize Color Landmarks" Proc.of the 3rd Int.Conf.on Advanced Mechatronics,ICAM'98. 1. 109-114 (1998)

    • Related Report
      1998 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] 田中 豊,五福明夫,他: "電気粘性効果を利用した流体移送の基礎的研究" 日本機械学会論文集(C編). 64-625. 3450-3456 (1998)

    • Related Report
      1998 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] 五福明夫,田中 豊,濱野耕司: "色標識を注視・認識する視覚機能を持った自律走行車" 日本機械学会論文集(C編). 64-626. 3907-3913 (1998)

    • Related Report
      1998 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] 五福明夫, 田中 豊, 畑山 至: "音響による三次元情報伝達装置の開発" 日本機械学会論文集(C編). 63-308. 1243-1248 (1997)

    • Related Report
      1997 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Y.Tanaka, A.Gofuku: "Development and Analysis of an ERF Pressure Control Valve" Journal of Mechatronics. 7-4. 317-335 (1997)

    • Related Report
      1997 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Y.Tanaka, Mohamed, Gofuku: "Fusion of Depth Data from two Orthogonal Stereo Pairs" Proc.I.S.on Artificial Intelligence,Robotics and Automation. 19-24 (1997)

    • Related Report
      1997 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] 五福明夫, 田中 豊,他: "ルートの移行と走行挙動を考慮したビジュアルサーボによる自律走行法" 日本機械学会論文集(C編). 63-612. 2803-2813 (1997)

    • Related Report
      1997 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] A.Gofuku, Y.Tanaka: "Obstacle Avoidance by Changing Running Path for an Autonomous Running Vehicle" Proc.4th Annual Conf.on Mechatronics and Machine Vision. 106-111 (1997)

    • Related Report
      1997 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Y.Tanaka, A.Gofuku: "Analysis of Electric-fluid Analogy of Pressure Transmission through ERF" Proc.4th Annual Conf.on Mechatronics and Machine Vision. 67-72 (1997)

    • Related Report
      1997 Annual Research Report

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Published: 1997-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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