Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a wheelchair and particularly to an adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair for seamless mobility.
Description of Related Art
[002] Advancing assistive technologies for individuals with mobility impairments is indeed crucial for improving their quality of life and promoting independence. While traditional wheelchairs, including both manual and electric variants, have been instrumental in providing mobility solutions, they often pose challenges for individuals with severe disabilities or limited dexterity.
[003] One area of advancement lies in the development of more intuitive and accessible control interfaces for wheelchairs. Traditional joystick controls, for example, can be challenging for individuals with limited hand dexterity or strength. To address this, researchers and engineers are exploring alternative control methods such as voice commands, head movements, eye tracking, or even brain-computer interfaces. Still, these technologies lack in empowering users with diverse abilities to navigate their environments effectively, regardless of their physical limitations.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair for seamless mobility that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair for seamless mobility. The wheelchair comprising: a sitting space adapted to accommodate the user. The wheelchair further comprising: a motor driver adapted to actuate a motor to drive wheels of the wheelchair based on the received gesture data. The wheelchair further comprising: a processor communicatively connected to the input receiver and the motor driver. The processor is configured to: process the received gesture data to generate actuation signals; transmit the generated actuation signals to the motor driver; enable controlled movement of the wheels based on the generated actuation signals; collect a mobility data based on the controlled movement of the wheels; and transmit the collected data to the wearable device.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for an adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair for seamless mobility. The method comprising steps of: processing a received gesture data to generate actuation signals; transmitting the generated actuation signals to a motor driver; enabling controlled movement of wheels based on the generated actuation signals; collecting a mobility data based on the controlled movement of the wheels; and transmitting the collected data to a wearable device.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide an adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair for seamless mobility.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair for seamless mobility that empowers the physically disabled for mobility.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair for seamless mobility that is gesture-controlled.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair for seamless mobility that moves smoothly ensuring a comfortable ride for a user.
[0011] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0012] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair for seamless mobility, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a processor of the adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for the adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair 100 (hereinafter referred to as the wheelchair 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the wheelchair 100 may enable a physically abled user to move and commute within a premise or short distances. The wheelchair 100 may further enable the user to sit on the wheelchair 100 and use the wheelchair 100 as a seat and/or a chair, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] According to embodiments of the present invention, the wheelchair 100 comprises a sitting space 102, an input receiver 104, a wearable device 106, a gesture sensor 108, a wireless communication unit 110, a processor 112, a motor driver 114, a motor 116, and wheels 118.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sitting space 102 may be adapted to accommodate the user. The sitting space 102 may further be layered with a soft and cushioned material for providing a comfort to the user, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the input receiver 104 may be adapted to receive a gesture data from the wearable device 106 using the wireless communication unit 110. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the input receiver 104 may be an nRF24 radio. The wireless communication unit 110 may be an nRF24L01 radio, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communication unit 110 and the input receiver 104 may establish a robust bidirectional wireless communication link. The wireless communication unit 110 and the input receiver 104 may establish a seamless connectivity between the wearable device 106 and the wearable device 106
[0025] According to embodiments of the present invention, the wearable device 106 may be, but not limited to, a ring, a wristband, a handheld controller, a glove, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the wearable device 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the gesture data received from the wearable device 106 may be, but not limited to, a flick gesture, a pinch-in gesture, a pinch-out gesture, a push gesture, a pull gesture, a steer gesture, and so forth.
[0026] The wearable device 106 may comprise the gesture sensor 108, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the gesture sensor 108 may be, but not limited to, a compass sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an orientation sensor, an oscillator, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gesture sensor 108 may be an ADXL345 accelerometer. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the gesture sensor 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 112 may be connected to the input receiver 104 and the motor driver 114. The processor 112 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the wheelchair 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the processor 112 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processor 112 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 112 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the motor driver 114 adapted to actuate the motor 116 to drive the wheels 118 of the wheelchair 100 based on the received gesture data from the gesture sensor 108 of the wearable device 106.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the processor 112 of the wheelchair 100 for a seamless mobility, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processor 112 may comprise the computer-executable instructions in form of programming modules such as a data processing module 200, a data transmission module 202, a mobility module 204, and a data collection module 206.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data processing module 200 may be configured to process the received gesture data to generate actuation signals. The data processing module 200 may be configured to transmit the actuation signals to the data transmission module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data transmission module 202 may be activated upon receipt of the actuation signals from the data processing module 200. The data transmission module 202 may be configured to transmit the generated actuation signals to the motor driver 114, in an embodiment of the present invention. After transmission of the generated actuation signals to the motor driver 114, the data transmission module 202 may transmit a mobility signal to the mobility module 204.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mobility module 204 may be activated upon receipt of the mobility signal from the data transmission module 202. The mobility module 204 may configured to enable controlled movement of the wheels 118 based on the generated actuation signals, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data collection module 206 may be configured to collect a mobility data based on the controlled movement of the wheels 118. Further, the data collection module 206 may be configured to reactivate the data transmission module 202 for transmitting the collected data to the wearable device 106, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for the wheelchair 100 for the seamless mobility, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] At step 302, the wheelchair 100 may process the received gesture data to generate actuation signals.
[0036] At step 304, the wheelchair 100 may transmit the generated actuation signals to the motor driver 114.
[0037] At step 306, the wheelchair 100 may enable controlled movement of the wheels 118 based on the generated actuation signals.
[0038] At step 308, the wheelchair 100 may collect the mobility data based on the controlled movement of the wheels 118.
[0039] At step 310, the wheelchair 100 may transmit the collected data to the wearable device 106.
[0040] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0041] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
We Claim:
1. An adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair (100) for seamless mobility, the wheelchair (100) comprising:
a sitting space (102) adapted to accommodate the user;
an input receiver (104) adapted to receive a gesture data from a wearable device (106) using a wireless communication unit (110);
a motor driver (114) adapted to actuate a motor (116) to drive wheels (118) of the wheelchair (100) based on the received gesture data; and
a processor (112) communicatively connected to the input receiver (104) and the motor driver (114), characterized in that the processor (112) is configured to:
process the received gesture data to generate actuation signals;
transmit the generated actuation signals to the motor driver (114);
enable controlled movement of the wheels (118) based on the generated actuation signals;
collect a mobility data based on the controlled movement of the wheels (118); and
transmit the collected data to the wearable device (106).
2. The wheelchair (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gesture data received from the wearable device (106) is selected from a flick gesture, a pinch-in gesture, a pinch-out gesture, a push gesture, a pull gesture, a steer gesture, or a combination thereof.
3. The wheelchair (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit (110) is an nRF24L01 radio.
4. The wheelchair (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input receiver (104) is an nRF24 radio.
5. The wheelchair (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wearable device (106) comprises a gesture sensor (108).
6. The wheelchair (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the gesture sensor (108) is selected from an accelerometer or a gyroscope.
7. A method (300) for an adaptive gesture-driven wheelchair (100) for seamless mobility, the method (300) is characterized by steps of:
processing a received gesture data to generate actuation signals;
transmitting the generated actuation signals to a motor driver (114);
enabling controlled movement of wheels (118) based on the generated actuation signals;
collecting a mobility data based on the controlled movement of the wheels (118); and
transmitting the collected data to a wearable device (106).
Date: May 29, 2024
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)