Patent ID: 6710706
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: A61F,A61H,B63C

Abstract:
A spatial awareness device comprising at least one ultrasound transmitter for transmitting ultrasound radiation over a wide angular field within a spatial environment surrounding the device, at least one ultrasound receiver for receiving ultrasound radiation over a wide angular field reflected from obstacles located in the spatial environment, at least one control means responsive to the received ultrasound radiation from said at least one ultrasound receiver, at least one tactile responsive means operatively coupled to said control means and contacting portions of a limb of an individual user, wherein said control means spatially resolves and converts received radiation into a tactile signal such that the position of a signal on the tactile responsive means provides information about the location of an obstacle in the spatial environment surrounding the device, said tactile signal spatially distributed across at least portions of said limb of an individual user to stimulate in a user spatial tactile sensations thereon.