| 摘要 |
An intelligent, self-propelled assistive walking and cargo-carrying device that utilizes various sensors to monitor the intended movement and balance of its pedestrian user and the device in relation to the surrounding terrain to ensure stability, provides the capability to ascend or descend stairs and uneven terrain via removable motorized treads, and can enhance the pedestrian user's ability to comprehend and interact with the environment through hearing amplification, range-finding, and interaction with personally-worn smart devices (e.g., smart phones, smart watches, smart bands, etc.). The embodiment can be controlled by the user through pressure-sensitive grips and controls, voice, detected motion of the user, or remotely through wireless connection. The embodiment can be programmed to be user-specific and to follow a pre-determined path or to arrive at a target location. |
| 主权项 |
1. An intelligent self-propelled, walking-assistant device (e.g., walker, wheelchair) that can be operated by a pedestrian user for guiding said user through an environment with uneven terrain (e.g., inclines, declines, stairways) comprising: a) two removable motorized treads, a.k.a., tracks (or wheels) which can be affixed to the front and rear wheel assemblies on each side of the device; b) user can operate said motorized treads (or wheels) in variable speeds and in forward and reverse directions in order to turn the walker; c) multiple sensing systems (e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope, Global Positioning System, laser, pressure, radar, sonar, thermometer, ultrasonic) to monitor the position, speed, direction (e.g., differential speed of treads or wheels), and balance (e.g., yaw, pitch, roll) of the device, the device in relation to its user and/or load, and surrounding environment to assist the user and/or load to move across flat, uneven, or inclined surfaces and automatically adjust speed and itself to ensure an upright position; d) a communication and processing system that can transmit and regulate the device's actions based on the feedback from onboard sensors and sensors worn by the user as well as transmit operating data; e) a u-shaped frame that wraps around its user and supported by four cross-braced vertical posts ending in said motorized treads (or wheels) connected in the front and having handles on an upper portion of the frame suitable to be gripped by a user; f) said u-shaped frame with a moveable seat that can fold-down and is suitable to support a 225 pound adult; g) said cross-braced vertical posts ending in said motorized treads (or wheels) can be lengthened or shortened by various means (e.g., hydraulic fluids, screw drives, gears, magnets, actuators) to adjust the walker when traversing inclines, declines, stairs or uneven terrain to ensure user stability; and h) visual displays (e.g., lights, LCD screens, LED screens), audio speakers (e.g., sounds, voice), and tactile displays (e.g., vibration, heat, cold) that can indicate conditions about the local environment, user conditions, information transmitted through wireless communication, and said device's operating conditions. |
