Evaluation of Orientation Performance of Attention Patterns for Blind Person

Tactile walking surface indicators (TWSIs) are installed on footpath to support independent travel for the blind. There are two types of TWSIs, attention patterns and guiding patterns. The attention pattern is usually installed at the crosswalk entrances. The direction of the crossing can be acquired by the row of the projection of the attention pattern through the soles of the shoes. In addition, truncated domes or cones of the attention pattern were arranged in a square grid, parallel or diagonal at 45 degrees to the principal direction of travel. However, the international standard organization (ISO) allows a wide-ranging size. In this research, the direction indicating performance was compared at the same intervals for the five diameters specified by the international standard. As a result of the experiment, the diagonal array does not indicate the direction of travel, but the projection row does indicate the direction of travel in the parallel array. When the attention pattern is installed at a crosswalk entrance, a parallel array should be installed in the direction of the crossing.

Studies in Health Technology and Informatics


Development of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Assessment Tools for Patients with ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, intractable disease that causes the body to gradually become weaker. A communication device for the handicapped with a high degree of disability (see Fig. 1) is often used for a seriously ill ALS patient. However, the degree of the symptoms differs in each patient, so it is necessary to select a suitable input switch. Moreover, the selection of the switch is greatly influenced by differences in knowledge and experience, so support is often advanced preceded by a subjective evaluation [1]-[6]. This research developed an evaluation apparatus capable of measuring the movement of the finger from the displacement of the lever using a sensor built into the input switch. As a result, appropriate support is expected to evaluate patient's remaining function based on objective data when the input switch is selected.

筋萎縮性側索硬化症(ALS)は，身体機能が徐々に衰えていく進行性の難病である．重度のALS患者には，重度障害者用意思伝達装置が用いられることが多い．しかし，症状の度合いが患者ごとに異なるため，適した入力スイッチを選定する必要がある．また，スイッチの選定は知識・経験の差に大きく影響されるため，主観的な評価で支援が進められることが多い．本研究では，入力スイッチにセンサを組み込むことでレバーの変位から指の動きを計測できる評価器具の開発を行った．これにより，入力スイッチの選定を行う際に，患者の残存機能を客観的なデータ根拠に基づいて評価し，適切な適合支援が可能になることが期待される．


Walking Characteristics of Persons with Visually Impairment Crossing Intersections with Audible Pedestrian Signals

The authors have been continuously researching tactile walking surface indicators and audible pedestrian signals used for crossing intersections. A pedestrian walks to the opposite side of the crosswalk using audible pedestrian signals. The position where the audible pedestrian signal is set up clearly influences the pedestrian's path. We performed an intersection crossing experiment with road noise for different positions where the audible pedestrian signal was set up. Vehicle road noise is thought to influence walking pedestrians. However, we could not clearly separate the difference of where the audible pedestrian signal was set up from the influence of the road noise. We therefore conducted the experiment with no road noise in the intersection to determine the difference of the position where the audible pedestrian signal was set up. The research results were compared with and without road noise to specify the road noise influence.


Measurement of Visbility of TWSIs perceived by LVs


Directing Characteristics of Infra-red Handheld Device toward Target by Persons with Visual Impairment

赤外線音声情報案内システムを利用する視覚障害者の方向特定特性

When a person with visual impairment attempts to cross the road without any assistive systems such as audible pedestrian signals, it is hard to judge correctly the direction to cross the road and the timing to start walking. Recently, the assistive guiding and wayfinding system which utilizes the infra-red (IR) technology has been developed and applied to assist the visually impaired persons to cross the intersection in Japan. The same system is used as an audible signage in the United States. When using this system, the user has a hand held IR receiver terminal and moves it horizontally to search the direction of the IR transmitter. When the user finds the direction, he/she starts walking toward that identified direction. This study examines the coordination between the direction of the terminal held by the user and the direction of human sense of the user. The result shows, when moving the hand held terminal with keeping elbows close to his/her sides, the user can find the walking direction more correctly and walk toward the identified direction more precisely. In addition, when using the receiver with 10 degrees of light receiving angle, the user can find the walking direction that is similar to the one identified in the case of using the modern tactile walking surface indicator.

視覚障害者が道路を横断する場合，音響信号機等の支援システムが無い交差点では，横断方向を見定めること，横断開始時期を見定めることは難しい．近年，赤外線を利用した視覚障害者用音声情報システムが実用化され，我が国では交差点における横断支援システムとして，同じシステムが米国では音声案内システムとして採用されている．これらのシステムでは，利用者は赤外線信号を受信する携帯型端末を手に持ち，手を左右に動かし，赤外線発光部の方向を特定し，その方向に向かって歩行する．本論文では，携帯端末を走査して得られた手の方向とその方向に歩き出したつもりの歩行方向とのズレを盲人被験者の協力を得て計測した．その結果，携帯端末を操作する際，脇を締めて探索する方がより正確に手の角度を足に伝えられること，携帯端末の受光角度を10度程度に狭くすれば，足裏で横断歩道口に敷設された視覚障害者誘導用ブロックの方向を検出して歩行する場合と同程度の歩行精度を得ることが出来ることを明らかにした．


ロービジョン者における色覚特性の計測 --- 色の誘目性計測

ロービジョン者における色覚特性の計測 --- 色の誘目性計測


ロービジョン者における色覚特性の計測 --- 色識別性の計測

ロービジョン者における色覚特性の計測 --- 色識別性の計測


A Study on sensation of walking-distance and orientation of the blind

歩行距離や方向の感覚を全盲者の歩行特性を評価する観点から調査をおこなった．全盲者の歩行時のこれらの感覚は歩行時に得られる支援情報から重要な因子になる．この研究では全盲者の対峙する属性においてそれらの二つの感覚の依存を評価することを実施した．被験者27名の参加で基本的は2つの実験を行った．一つは5m，10m，20mの距離を歩く実験，もう一つは，45度た90度に旋回する実験である．全盲のグループを統計処理を行い，日常的に単独歩行しているかの有無と歩行スキルの訓練の経験の有無について有意差検定を行った．


Study on background illuminance and color conspicuity characteristics for people with low visual capacity


Study on illuminance dependency of color identification characteristics for people with low visual capacity


Study on the veering tendecny of persons with visual impairment

視覚障害者が道路の横断を試みるとき，反対側に到達する時に横断歩道の中央線からのずれがある．本報ではこの現象の理由が2つの原因によって起こることを示す．一つは前進する最初のステップの時に誤方向であること，二つ目は横断歩道を歩行するときの偏軌傾向にある．また，本報では横断歩道の中央線からのずれが前進する最初のステップの時に最初の誤方向を減らすことによって減少することを示す．


Evaluation of body vibration during manual wheelchair running over sidewalk surfaces and curbs


Accessibilities of Wheelchair Users to Cross the Gaps and Steps between Platforms and Trains

SICE Journal of Control, Measurement, and System Integration


A Study on Sensation of Walking-Distance of the Blind

視覚障害者の歩行距離感覚に関する調査・研究


Development of Categories of Colour Similarity Estimation Algorithm for Persons with Low Visual Capability Using Artifical Neural Network

NNを用いたロービジョン者を対象とした色の類似性領域推定アルゴリズムの構築

In Japan, it is reported about 90% of the persons with visual impairment are the persons with low visual capability. However, the database of the low visual capability and the standard about the easily comprehensible visual information presentation are not existed yet. Therefore, the categories of colour similarity of the persons with low visual capability are measured. However, measuring various colour combinations is placing a burden on the object person. Therefore, in this research, development of the categories of colour similarity estimation algorithm is proposed. Applying the generalization capability of the artificial neural network, the distribution of the categories of colour similarity will be obtained from the limited colour combination measures.

IEEJ Transactions on Electronics, Information and Systems

電気学会論文誌C (電子，情報，システム部門誌)


The Measurement Technique of AFO(ankle-foot orthosis) Fitting for More Comfortable


Directing Characteristics of Infra-red Handheld Device toward Target by Persons with Visual Impairment


The Importance of Measuring Medical and Psychological Characteristics in Visibility Measurement of Persons with Low Visual Capability


Measurement of Luminance Contrast Sensitivity of Persons with Low Visual Capability in order to Secure the Visibility of Tactile Walking Surface Indicators


The Method of Estimating the Ability of the Wheelchair Users to run the Electric Wheelchair


Manual Wheelchair User's Accessibility between Platforms and Trains and Development of the Wheelchair Assistive Device for Boarding Trains


Visibility of Tactile Walking Surface Indicators for Persons with Low Vision

ロービジョン者による視覚障害者誘導用ブロックの視認性に関する研究

Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSIs) are widely used for help visually impaired persons move both indoors and outdoors. Individuals with weak vision are said to account for some 90% of the population of the persons with vision impairments. The clear identification of TWSIs is essential to the safety and comfortable navigation of individuals of persons with vision impairments. This study was visibility of Tactile Walking Surface Indicators with Low Vision.

ヒューマンインタフェース学会論文誌

ヒューマンインタフェース学会論文誌


視覚障害者誘導用ブロックの白杖・足底による検知・識別実験

視覚障害者誘導用ブロックの白杖・足底による検知・識別実験

Transactions of the Society of Instrument and Control Engineers


STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF THE SHAPE OF A LEVEL DIFFERENCE ON OPERATIMG A MANUAL WHEELCHAIR

手動車いす操作における段差抵抗の尺度化に関する研究

Obstacles, especially small differences in floor level and ramp in housing often cause difficulties for manual wheelchair users with regard to access. The degree of difficulty is dependent on body frame, the diameter of the wheelchair's casters, and the user's ability to propel the wheelchair. To estimate the difficulties associated with various types of level differences and ramps quantitatively, the load on user and the ability of the user were studied. Using the date for overcoming the level differences, we attempted to determine quantitative scales for reasonable height and shape of level differences of ramps for manual wheelchair users.

日本の住宅内には，水周り段差，畳との段差，敷居段差と段差が多い．これら段差の解消として，一番安価で，工事の規模も小さいのが，すり付け板やミニスロープ(以下ミニスロープと呼ぶ)と呼ばれる三角の板による段差解消である．この方法は特に車いす使用者にとって有効である．しかし，図2のように勾配の緩いミニスロープを用いると，その設置場所である廊下へ影響し，通行の妨げとなる場合もある．こうした場合に，敷居の角を削る方法もあるが，ミニスロープを設置するほどの緩い勾配にはならず，段差通過に大きな負担を要する．そこで本研究の目的は，段差の形状が手動車いすの通過時にどのような影響を及ぼしているかを駆動力を計測し操作負担の要因を解明し，車いすが段差通過において負担の少ない段差形状を探ること，また負担軽減の方法を探ることにある．

日本建築学会計画系論文集


視覚障害者誘導用ブロックの評価システムの構築

視覚障害者誘導用ブロックの評価システムの構築

An experiment to evaluate a tactile walking surface indicator for visually impaired persons was usually carried out in the outdoor environment, and the weather and the seasons affected on the schedule and the result. We constructed the evaluation system within the building so we could conduct walking experiments that were unaffected by the weather regardless of the four seasons. The subjects of this system were not only a visually impaired person and a sighted deaf person but also general person. The laboratory provided a soundproof and shaded structure consisting of the walls and the ceiling. External sound and light were blocked. The hue could be adjusted by three-color fluorescent lamps, and the light could be adjusted from daytime brightness to a dim moon light. Research into the walking of visually impaired persons at nighttime is a pressing problem as the barrier-free transportation law has been enacted in Japan. An international standard has been discussed, and a scientific basis for that standard is now required.

電気学会論文誌C (電子，情報，システム部門誌)


Evaluation of Load and Easiness/Difficulty in Operating Manual Wheelchair on Longitudinal Slopes

手動車いすによる縦断勾配走行時の負担と操作難易度評価

Maneuverability of wheelchair depends not only on mechanical efficiency but also on the environmental condition where the wheelchair runs. So, we have been aiming to comprehend mechanism of influences of road/floor conditions on maneuvering the wheelchairs quantitatively. In this paper some information obtained through many test runs of experimental wheelchair on longitudinal slopes are reported. The load/distance rate that is momentum needed to move l m, is useful to evaluate difficulty in maneuvering the wheelchair quantitatively. Furthermore, knowledge about factor that causes failure in negotiating a longitudinal slope by the wheelchair was acquired. Making use of the knowledge, the indicator that can estimate whether a wheelchair rider will be able to negotiate a longitudinal slope on the basis of measurement of his/her traction force using simple push-pull gauge for example.

車いすの操作性は機械効率のみならず車椅子が走行する環境条件にも依存する． したがって，著者らは車いすの操縦に関する道路や床の及ぼす影響の定量的なメカニズムを把握することを目的としている．この論文では縦断勾配における計測用車いすの多くのテスト走行を通して幾つかの知見を得た．l m を移動するのに必要なモーメントである負荷対距離比は，車椅子を操縦する負荷を定量的に評価するために有効である．その上，車いすで縦断勾配を走行する際に走破不能を引き起こす要素に関する知見が得られた．得られた知見を用いることによって，指針としては例えば簡単なプッシュプルゲージを使用することで車いす使用者の駆動力を測定して，縦断勾配を走行することができるかどうかの評価を行うことができる．

Transactions of The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, Series C

日本機械学会論文集(C編)


Study for Merit of Battery Combined Photovoltaic Generation System for Residential House (2) --- Investigation of the Influence of Load Patterns and Regional Differences

住宅用太陽光発電·蓄電池組合せシステムのメリットに関する研究 (2) --- 負荷パターンおよび地域差による影響の検討

this paper describes the merits for power consumers brought by the combination use of photovoltaic generation and nighttime power storage using the storage battery. The merit of the combination system is calculated based on the insolation and consumers load pattern. The merit using insolation at the specific region and general load pattern has been already reported. This paper examines the influence due regional and load pattern differences, and studies the changes of the merit and the optimal storage battery capacity. The other hand, it is difficult to measure the actual load pattern of the ordinary residence, so this paper uses the generalized load pattern to comparatively examine the difference in merit and optimal storage battery capacity from those for the actual load pattern.

住宅用太陽光発電·蓄電池組合せシステムの一般住宅に対するメリットや最適な蓄電池組合せ容量等を精度良く算出するためには，月ごとの時間帯別太陽光発電量の正確な算出と共に，正確な月ごとの1日の負荷パターンが必要である．本報告では個別住宅の月ごと需要電力量(1日平均使用電力量)から負荷パターンを推定する方法を提案し，種々の条件のシミュレーション計算を実施し，この方法の適応性と結果の考察を実施し，この方法の適応性と結果の考察を実施した．その結果，一般負荷パターンは十分にメリット計算に適応可能であることが分かった．

電気学会論文誌B (電力・エネルギー部門誌)


A Study of the Merits of a Battery Combined Photovoltaic Generation System for a Residential House

In this paper we examine the merits that a practical photovoltaic system combining photovoltaic generation with storage batteries would provide if it used in ordinary residences. Various configurations and operation methods could be envisaged for such a system. In this research we examined the optimal battery capacity, operation methods, and economic effects for a system emphasizing economical merits for the user. We first calculated the hourly amount of photovoltaic generated electricity each month, and used data on average load patterns from actual measurements to calculate battery capacity. Next, taking battery capacity and phtovoltaic module capacity/price as parameters, we calculated and evaluated the economic merits for ordinary residences. The results showed that the optimal battery capacity for combination with 3 or 5kW photovoltaic generation is around 10kWh, and that a combined system provides merits even though it entails higher photovoltaic module costs than the use of photovoltaic generation alone.


The classification of prehension of tools by the number and the position of force vectors

Persons with functional disorder of hands could not use some of tools in daily living because of insufficient number and improper positioning of force vectors for handling them. We analized the number and the position of ofrce vectors required in handling 444 tools used in the evaluation of activities of daily living, ADL and classified the hand movement into 36 types of operation. This classification tables are useful for the evaluation of the ability of handling tools of persons with functional disorder of hands.

Assistive Technology - Shaping the Future


Study on developing the new criterion of level differences for the wheelchair

Obstacles, especially small differences in floor level and ramps in housing often cause difficulties for manual wheelchair users with regard to access. The degree of difficulty is dependent on body frame, the diameter of the wheelchair's casters, and the user's ability to propel the wheelchair. To estimate the difficulties associated with various types of level differences and ramps quantitatively, the load on the user and the ability of the user were studied. Using the data for overcoming the level differences, we attempted to determine quantitative scales for reasonable height, shape, and gradient of level differences or ramps for manual wheelchair users.


Development of Japan Assistive Technology Use Monitoring System in Activity & Participation

The j-ATms, "Japan Assistive Technology Use Monitoring System in Activity & Participation", was developed to measure the effect of use of assistive technology and services, AT&S, quantitatively. While persons with amytorophic lateral sclerosis(ALS), use many AT&Ss, the outcomes for AT&Ss in total daily living have not been clarified yet. In this research, two time serial data, the degree of needs-achievement and the degree of satisfaction in use of AT&S, were collected from ten persons with ALS by j-ATms, and the factor analysis of the data showed the validity of j-ATms and extracted the effective AT&S for persons with ALS on their life style and their grade of disease.


Quantitative evaluation and analysis of influences of floor conditions and position of rear wheels on maneuvering the manual wheelchair

We constructed a specially designed manual wheelchair equipped with torque meters on the hand-rims and rotary encoders in the axles of the rear wheels. Using the wheelchair, we investigated the influences of floor surface conditions and position of the rear wheels on manuevering it. The result shows that the faster the wheelchair runs, the less momentum per 1 meter traveling when running on soft surface floor, and that shifting the position of rear wheels forward might make the running performance of wheelchair slightly efficient. And, it became clear that the center of gravity of wheelchair-rider would be shifted backward at push phase. That might have an effect on improving running performance of the wheelchair.


Proposal of floor design indicator based on the quantitative evaluation of driving the manual wheelchair

In order to make a guideline of housing and building design which considered the wheelchair users, it is also neccesary to take into consideration wheelchair user's dynamic components other than spatial components. This study critically investigates whether the mentioned standards in the existing guideline are satisfying all the needs of wheelchair users. We used the methods of quantitative evaluation of driving a manual wheelchair and collected the dynamic data under the different conditions of flooring materials, ramps and levels. The rate of a physical load and capacity on driving a manual wheelchair drawn from this research can be utilizable as a new index of floor design.


Study for Merit of Battery Combined Photovoltaic Generation System for Residential House

住宅用太陽光発電·蓄電池組合せシステムのメリットに関する研究

電気学会論文誌B (電力・エネルギー部門誌)


Development and Evaluation of Electric Power Back-up System for Care House

Assistive Technology - Added Value to the Quality of Life


Evaluating the Mental Stress Caused by Operating A Communication Aid.

Research Bulletin og Health and Living Science


Tactile Pattern Recognition of Ground Surface Indicators by Totally Blind Person

Assistive Technology on the Threshold of the New Millenium


Modeling of joystick operation with single-speed floating action in consideration of uncertain motions

動作のばらつきを考慮した単速度動作特性を持つジョイスティック操作のモデリング

ヒューマンインタフェース学会論文誌

ヒューマンインタフェース学会論文誌


Development of Training Equipment with Adaptive and Learning Using a Balloon Actuator-Sensor System


支援工学技術(アシスティブテクノロジー)普及のための技術移転 --- 新たな教育プログラムとアドバイザーサービス

大阪市立心身障害者リハビリテーションセンター研究紀要

大阪市立心身障害者リハビリテーションセンター研究紀要


Tactile Ground Surface Indicator Widening and its Effect on Users' Detection Abilities

To prevent visually impaired persons from falling from railway platforms, we performed an experimental study to evaluate the effect of widening the tactile ground surface indicators(TGSI) that warn them when they are nearing the platform edge. The focus of the evaluation was the detectability of dot tiles and the stopping distance required after they had been detected. As a result, it was not only proved that the typical width of 300 mm is effective, but also that adding 100 mm improved that effectiveness. The detection rate reached 100 % when the width was 600 mm.


Preliminary Draft International Standard on Tactile Ground Surface Indicators for Blind and Vision Impaired Persons

視覚障害者用誘導·警告ブロックの国際標準化の傾向

Tactile tiles to guide visually impaired persons were developed first in the 1960s in Japan and have been installed at various places including railway stations. As the effectiveness of these guide systems is recognized, many countries have adopted these systems. International Organization for Standardization(ISO) is now preparing an international standard "Technical aids for blind and vision impaired persons - Tactile ground surface indicators(ISO/CD11550E)." This paper outlines the committee draft related to the standard and discusses some issues on thei draft.


Stride length and speed of the blind walking along tactile blocks in their daily routines

視覚障害者が日常空間で誘導用ブロック上を歩行する時の歩幅·歩行速度