Introduction

This invention relates to an electronic talking stick for the blind and more particularly to a stick which talks to instruct a blind man to walk and go upstairs and downstairs, and to warn a blind man of dangerous depression in road, and which calls for help when a blind man who uses the stick falls. It is generally comprised of a supporting rod, a control box, a handle, a free steering caster, and a horizontal scanning device, in which the free steering caster helps the whole assembly to slide; two detectors in the control box and a range finder and moving object detector in the handle are arranged for trouble detection to let detected signals be converted into voice, by means of the processing through a control circuit, to instruct the user through an earphone connected to the handle. High technology its not only beautiful entertaining toys, this is not only powerful tools to improve performance, however, this work was not, this is a new life for people with disabilities. In support of this idea introduced the concept of a cumbersome name ultrasonic Stick on the t for Blind People, or ultrasonic cane for the blind . miniature digital system is actually worn on the wrist user to navigate, it uses ultrasonic signals. When approaching an obstacle or any other potential source of danger, it alerts the user through sound and vibration. In a sense, this stick works even better this eye, as it sees objects not only in front, but behind him. But in fact, I would like to believe that in the real world such a gadget would be more effective if only a simple canes for the blind.

What is ultrasound
Ultrasound is cyclic sound pressure with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is thus not separated from "normal" (audible) sound based on differences in physical properties, only the fact that humans cannot hear it. Although this limit varies from person to person, it is approximately 20 kilohertz (20,000 hertz) in healthy, young adults. The production of ultrasound is used in many different fields, typically to penetrate a medium and measure the reflection signature or supply focused energy. The reflection signature can reveal details about the inner structure of the medium, a property also used by animals such as bats for hunting. The most well known application of ultrasound is its use in sonography to produce pictures of fetuses in the human womb. There are a vast number of other applications as well

Sound

is

caused

by

tiny,

fast

movements

called

vibrations, and it travels in waves from its source to a receiver (e.g., from vibrating vocal cords to our ears). A sound wave involves the transfer of energy through a medium (solid, liquid, or gas). The sound vibrations can very in size (amplitude) and in rate (frequency). The greater the amplitude the louder the sound, and the higher the frequency the higher the sound (higher the pitch). If a dog barks loudly, the sound vibrations will have a greater amplitude and lower frequency than the sound made when a mouse squeaks.

Humans can hear frequencies of 15 hertz to 20,000 hertz (number of vibrations per second).

Sound waves of more than 20,000 hertz are known as ULTRASONIC and cannot usually be heard by humans. However, we can use ultrasound in medicine, in ship navigation, and in industry. Ultrasound is also used by various animals.

Uses of Ultrasound
In Medicine

Detection

To examine unborn (fetuses). Ultrasound can be used to examine the number, sex, movement, and heart beat of a fetus in the mother's womb, the stage of the pregnancy, and whether there are any major physical abnormalities with the fetus.

Heat production

As therapy for muscle pain (can accelerate wound healing).

Breaking down particles

To clean teeth (used by dentists to remove plaque without damage or pain.

In Industry

Detection

To navigate under water. Submarines and boats use SONAR (sound navigation and ranging) to detect objects underwater. As quality control. Ultrasound can be used to detect cracks in metal and plastic that is made in factories. This is because the ultrasonic waves reflect off cracks more than the metal or plastic.

Heat production

To heat liquids (dry corn milling plants enhance ethanol production using heat produced by ultrasound).

Breaking down particles

To clean jewelry, lenses, and clothes. Objects are placed in an ultrasound bath, in which ultrasound is passed through water and

creates bubbles that remove the dirt. Ultrasonic washing machines are currently under development.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Ultrasound

Advantages in Medicine

It is non-invasive (can be used without equipment entering the body). It is relatively inexpensive. It is a quick procedure. No harmful effects have been detected yet. It is good for examining soft tissues (eye, heart, blood vessels). If a problem with the fetus is detected, the parents can prepare emotionally and practically. Ultrasound can be absorbed into the bone and can accelerate fracture healing.

Disadvantages in Medicine

The picture it produces doesn't give as much detail as an Xray. It can't be used to examine areas that contain gas (lungs, digestive system). It does not pass through bone. More research is required to determine whether long term exposure is harmful. It can sometimes be wrong in its detection of physical abnormalities. It can affect fetal brain development in mice (no such evidence for humans).

Calculating Distance With Ultrasound

How can ultrasound be used to detect objects in air and water?
Things we need to remember:

Distance traveled (d) = speed (s) time (t) Speed of sound in air = approximately 334 meters per second Speed of sound in water = approximately 1530 meters per second

The time it takes to detect an object by ultrasound is equal to the time it takes for the ultrasound wave to be emitted, bounce off an object and return to the detector. So, we need to halve this time when using the equation above.

Ultrasound and bats

If it took 1 second for a bat to detect the ultrasound, how far away is the prey? d=st = 334 meters per second 1 second = 334 meters in total We need to divide this by 2 to get the distance from bat to prey only. So, 330/2 = 165 meters.

Ultrasound and ships

An iceberg is 3,000 meters from a submarine. The submarine emits ultrasound. How long will it take for the submarine to detect the iceberg? d=st t = d/s d = 2 3000 m (the ultrasound wave has to go to the iceberg and back) = 6000 meters t = d/s = 6000/1530 = 3.92 seconds

CIRCUIT WORKING
This ultrasonic proximity detector comprising independent, battery-powered transmitter and receiver sections makes use of a pair of matched ultrasonic piezoceramic transducers operating at around 40 kHz each. This circuit can be used in exhibitions to switch on prerecorded audio/video messages automatically when a visitor evincing in-terest in a product comes near an exhibited product.

Fig. 1 shows the transmitter circuit. It comprises CMOS timer IC 7555 (IC1) configured as an astable multivibrator, which may be tuned to the frequency of the ultrasonic piezoceramic transmitters resonant frequency of around 40 kHz using preset VR1. A complementary pair of transistors T1 and T2 is used for driving and buffering the transducer while it drawsspikes of current from IC1 circuit to sustain oscillations and thereby avoids any damage. The receiver frontend (refer Fig. 2) is designed to provide a very high gain for the reflected faint ultrasonic frequency signals detected by the ultrasonic transducer. The amplifiers built around N1 and N2, respectively, provide AC voltage gain of around 80 each. These two stages should have a high open-circuit gain, wide bandwidth and very low bias current apart from being capable of single-supply operation. Quad op-amp LM324 is used here due to its low cost. For higher efficiency, you may use single op-amps such as CA3130 or CA3140. When a visitor pauses before a product, it signifies his interest. Switching diode D1 followed by a filter comprising capacitor C5 and resistor R10 is used to meet this requirement. The filter also helps to bypass brief bursts of ambient noise in the ultrasonic range. The third stage comprising N3 works as a comparator to provide a triggering pulse when a visitor stops by. This pulse can be used to trigger a timer or a monostable, whose output may then be used to switch on the audio/video message concerning the product for a predetermined period. When somebody comes in front of the ultrasonic piezoceramic transducer pair, the status LED (LED1) glows because of the signal reflected from the body of the visitor. The circuit can be assembled on any general-purpose PCB. The transmitter and the receiver should be aligned such that the transmitted ultrasonic signal is optimally received by the receiver after reflection. Fig. 3 shows the pin

configuration of transistors T1 and T2, while Fig. 4 shows installation of the ultrasonic piezoceramic transducer pair operating at around 40 kHz.