Ambient environment information transmission device
[Problem] Provided is an ambient environment information transmission device capable of quickly and accurately transmitting ambient environment information to a visually impaired person. [Solution] An ambient environment information transmission device 1 includes a body 10 that is configured to be worn by a user, a distance image capturing unit 20 that is supported by the body 10 and that is configured to capture a distance image ahead of the user, a line-of-sight direction detection unit 22 that is supported by the body 10 and that is configured to detect a line-of-sight direction of the user, a control unit 40 that is configured to obtain distance information on a target portion in the line-of-sight direction in the distance image, and distance information output units 30, 32, 34 that are configured to output the distance information through sound or tactile sensation.
1 . An ambient environment information transmission device, comprising:
a body configured to be worn by a user;
a distance image capturing unit supported by the body, the distance image capturing unit being configured to capture a distance image ahead of a user;
a line-of-sight direction detection unit supported by the body, the line-of-sight direction detection unit being configured to detect a line-of-sight direction of a user;
a control unit configured to obtain distance information on a target portion in the line-of-sight direction in the distance image; and
a distance information output unit configured to output the distance information through sound or tactile sensation, wherein
the control unit is configured to cause level difference information to be output from the distance information output unit, when a change in the distance information along with movement of the line-of-sight direction exceeds a reference value.
2 . The ambient environment information transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein
a plurality of the distance information output units is provided in a left-right direction of a user, and
the control unit is configured to localize output from the plurality of the distance information output units in the line-of-sight direction.
3 . The ambient environment information transmission device according to claim 1 , further comprising a projection unit supported by the body, the projection unit being configured to project pattern light ahead of a user.
4 . The ambient environment information transmission device according to claim 1 , further comprising an ultrasonic transducer supported by the body, the ultrasonic transducer being configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave to and from a side ahead of a user, wherein the control unit is configured to obtain the distance information on the target portion in the line-of-sight direction, based on detection performed by the ultrasonic transducer.
5 . The ambient environment information transmission device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a character information image-capturing unit configured to capture an image of character information provided on an object in an image capturing area of the distance image capturing unit; and
a character information output unit configured to output the character information through sound or tactile sensation, wherein
the control unit is configured to:
set a reading area in an image capturing area of the character information image-capturing unit based on the distance information in the line-of-sight direction; and
cause character information included in the reading area to be output from the character information output unit.
6 . An ambient environment information transmission device, comprising:
a body configured to be worn by a user;
a distance image capturing unit supported by the body, the distance image capturing unit being configured to capture a distance image ahead of a user;
a line-of-sight direction detection unit supported by the body, the line-of-sight direction detection unit being configured to detect a line-of-sight direction of a user;
a control unit configured to obtain distance information on a target portion in the line-of-sight direction in the distance image; and
a distance information output unit configured to output the distance information through sound or tactile sensation, wherein
a plurality of the distance information output units is provided in a left-right direction of a user, and
the control unit is configured to localize output from the plurality of the distance information output units in the line-of-sight direction.
7 . The ambient environment information transmission device according to claim 6 , further comprising a projection unit supported by the body, the projection unit being configured to project pattern light ahead of a user.
8 . The ambient environment information transmission device according to claim 6 , further comprising an ultrasonic transducer supported by the body, the ultrasonic transducer being configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave to and from a side ahead of a user, wherein the control unit is configured to obtain the distance information on the target portion in the line-of-sight direction, based on detection performed by the ultrasonic transducer.
9 . The ambient environment information transmission device according to claim 6 , further comprising:
a character information image-capturing unit configured to capture an image of character information provided on an object in an image capturing area of the distance image capturing unit; and
a character information output unit configured to output the character information through sound or tactile sensation, wherein
the control unit is configured to:
set a reading area in an image capturing area of the character information image-capturing unit based on the distance information in the line-of-sight direction; and
cause character information included in the reading area to be output from the character information output unit.
10 . An ambient environment information transmission device, comprising:
a body configured to be worn by a user;
a distance image capturing unit supported by the body, the distance image capturing unit being configured to capture a distance image ahead of a user;
a line-of-sight direction detection unit supported by the body, the line-of-sight direction detection unit being configured to detect a line-of-sight direction of a user;
a control unit configured to obtain distance information on a target portion in the line-of-sight direction in the distance image;
a distance information output unit configured to output the distance information through sound or tactile sensation,
a character information image-capturing unit configured to capture an image of character information provided on an object in an image capturing area of the distance image capturing unit; and
a character information output unit configured to output the character information through sound or tactile sensation, wherein
the control unit is configured to:
set a reading area in an image capturing area of the character information image-capturing unit based on the distance information in the line-of-sight direction; and
cause character information included in the reading area to be output from the character information output unit.
11 . The ambient environment information transmission device according to claim 10 , further comprising a projection unit supported by the body, the projection unit being configured to project pattern light ahead of a user.
12 . The ambient environment information transmission device according to claim 10 , further comprising an ultrasonic transducer supported by the body, the ultrasonic transducer being configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave to and from a side ahead of a user, wherein the control unit is configured to obtain the distance information on the target portion in the line-of-sight direction, based on detection performed by the ultrasonic transducer.