A smart pre-warning, guide, alarm, recovery and detection (GUARD) network system for the blind

This paper discusses the critical technologies that are used in the development of optical wireless communication network, in the protection of the safety, and in the provision of convenience to the vision-impaired population. The technologies of the realizations of the hardware, firmware, decision algorithms, communication protocols and application programs developed for Sensor Nodes in optical wireless communication network are applied for the Smart Blind-Guidance Network System. In addition, this technology is aided by the assistant equipment (cane) for the blind and the communication interface protocol for the computer, which is specifically designed for the blind. The smart blind-guidance system is a combination of optics, microprocessor, voice acoustics, and wireless electronics. This system also possesses the functions of distance measuring and environment parameters, collecting to finish a complete Pre-warning, Guide, Alarm, Recovery and Detection (GUARD) guide system for the blind and also completing a locating and addressing system.