Multi-function cane

Abstract

A multi-function cane, including a cane body and functional devices. The functional devices are operatively connected to the cane body, and include, e.g, a battery interface, solar cells, a solar cell-activating switch, a power-level light, a lamp, a lamp-activating switch, an audible emergency alert, an alert-activating switch, GPS, a GPS-activating switch, a non-satellite radio, a non-satellite radio-activating switch, a TV, a TV-activating switch, a satellite radio, a satellite radio-activating switch, a panic alarm, a panic alarm-activating switch, biosensor readouts, a biosensor readout-activating switch, a traffic-signal shape and color sensor, a traffic-signal sensor-activating switch, a timepiece, a timepiece-activating switch, a PDA, a PDA-activating switch, a pedometer, a pedometer-activating switch, an accelerometer, an accelerometer-activating switch, a cell-phone, a cell-phone keypad, an audible message alert, a message alert-activating switch, an audible stairs/road depression alert, a stairs/road depression alert-activating switch, a system tester, and a system tester-activating switch.

1 . A multi-function cane, comprising:
 a) a cane body; and   b) functional devices;   wherein said functional devices are operatively connected to said cane body.   
   
   
       2 . The cane of  claim 1 , wherein said functional devices comprise a battery interface;
 wherein said battery interface of said functional devices is contained within said cane; and   wherein said battery interface of said functional devices is for holding batteries for powering said functional devices.   
   
   
       3 . The cane of  claim 2 , wherein said functional devices comprise solar cells;
 wherein said solar cells of said functional devices are disposed on said cane body; and   wherein said solar cells of said functional devices are in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices for recharging the batteries.   
   
   
       4 . The cane of  claim 3 , wherein said functional devices comprise a solar cell-activating switch;
 wherein said solar cell-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said solar cell-activating switch of said functional devices are in electrical communication with said solar cells of said functional devices; and   wherein said solar cell-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said solar cells of said functional devices.   
   
   
       5 . The cane of  claim 4 , wherein said functional devices comprise a power-level light;
 wherein said power-level light of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said power-level light of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said power-level light of said functional devices indicates power level of the batteries.   
   
   
       6 . The cane of  claim 5 , wherein said functional devices comprise a lamp;
 wherein said lamp of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said lamp of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said lamp of said functional devices is for providing illumination for a user.   
   
   
       7 . The cane of  claim 6 , wherein said functional devices comprise a lamp-activating switch;
 wherein said lamp-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said lamp-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said lamp of said functional devices; and   wherein said lamp-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said lamp of said functional devices.   
   
   
       8 . The cane of  claim 7 , wherein said functional devices comprise an audible emergency alert;
 wherein said audible emergency alert of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said audible emergency alert of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said audible emergency alert of said functional devices is for providing an emergency alert for use by the user.   
   
   
       9 . The cane of  claim 8 , wherein said functional devices comprise an alert-activating switch;
 wherein said alert-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said alert-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said audible emergency alert of said functional devices; and   wherein said alert-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said audible emergency alert of said functional devices.   
   
   
       10 . The cane of  claim 9 , wherein said functional devices comprise GPS;
 wherein said GPS of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said GPS of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said GPS of said functional devices is for locating the user.   
   
   
       11 . The cane of  claim 10 , wherein said functional devices comprise a GPS-activating switch;
 wherein said GPS-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said GPS of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said GPS of said functional devices; and   wherein said GPS of said functional devices selectively operates said GPS of said functional devices.   
   
   
       12 . The cane of  claim 11 , wherein said functional devices comprise a non-satellite radio;
 wherein said non-satellite radio of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said non-satellite radio of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said non-satellite radio of said functional devices is for providing non-satellite radio listening for the user.   
   
   
       13 . The cane of  claim 12 , wherein said functional devices comprise a non-satellite-radio-activating switch;
 wherein said non-satellite-radio-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said non-satellite-radio-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said non-satellite radio of said functional devices; and   wherein said non-satellite-radio-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said non-satellite radio of said functional devices.   
   
   
       14 . The cane of  claim 13 , wherein said functional devices comprise a TV;
 wherein said TV of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said TV of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said TV of said functional devices is for providing TV viewing for the user.   
   
   
       15 . The cane of  claim 14 , wherein said functional devices comprise a TV-activating switch;
 wherein said TV-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said TV-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said TV of said functional devices; and   wherein said TV-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said TV of said functional devices.   
   
   
       16 . The cane of  claim 15 , wherein said functional devices comprise a satellite radio;
 wherein said satellite radio of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said satellite radio of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said satellite radio of said functional devices is for providing satellite radio listening for the user.   
   
   
       17 . The cane of  claim 16 , wherein said functional devices comprise a satellite-radio-activating switch;
 wherein said satellite-radio-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said satellite-radio-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said satellite radio of said functional devices; and   wherein said satellite-radio-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said satellite radio of said functional devices.   
   
   
       18 . The cane of  claim 17 , wherein said functional devices comprise a panic alarm;
 wherein said panic alarm of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said panic alarm of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said panic alarm of said functional devices is for providing an alarm when the user panics.   
   
   
       19 . The cane of  claim 18 , wherein said functional devices comprise a panic-alarm-activating switch;
 wherein said panic-alarm-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said panic-alarm-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said panic alarm of said functional devices; and   wherein said panic-alarm-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said panic alarm of said functional devices.   
   
   
       20 . The cane of  claim 19 , wherein said functional devices comprise biosensor readouts;
 wherein said biosensor readouts of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said biosensor readouts of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said biosensor readouts of said functional devices is for monitoring health of the user.   
   
   
       21 . The cane of  claim 20 , wherein said functional devices comprise a biosensor-readout-activating switch;
 wherein said biosensor-readout-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said biosensor-readout-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said biosensor readouts of said functional devices; and   wherein said biosensor-readout-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said biosensor readouts of said functional devices.   
   
   
       22 . The cane of  claim 21 , wherein said functional devices comprise traffic-signal shape and color sensor;
 wherein said traffic-signal shape and color sensor of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said traffic-signal shape and color sensor of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said traffic-signal shape and color sensor of said functional devices is for alerting a blind user of an upcoming traffic signal.   
   
   
       23 . The cane of  claim 22 , wherein said functional devices comprise a traffic-signal-sensor-activating switch;
 wherein said traffic-signal-sensor-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said traffic-signal-sensor-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said traffic-signal shape and color sensor of said functional devices; and   wherein said traffic-signal-sensor-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said traffic-signal shape and color sensor of said functional devices.   
   
   
       24 . The cane of  claim 23 , wherein said functional devices comprise a timepiece;
 wherein said timepiece of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said timepiece of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said timepiece of said functional devices is for providing time-of-day for the user.   
   
   
       25 . The cane of  claim 24 , wherein said functional devices comprise a timepiece-activating switch;
 wherein said timepiece-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said timepiece-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said timepiece of said functional devices; and   wherein said timepiece-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said timepiece of said functional devices.   
   
   
       26 . The cane of  claim 25 , wherein said functional devices comprise a PDA;
 wherein said PDA of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said PDA of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said PDA of said functional devices is for providing PDA use for the user.   
   
   
       27 . The cane of  claim 26 , wherein said functional devices comprise a PDA-activating switch;
 wherein said PDA-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said PDA-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said PDA of said functional devices; and   wherein said PDA-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said PDA of said functional devices.   
   
   
       28 . The cane of  claim 27 , wherein said functional devices comprise a pedometer;
 wherein said pedometer of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said pedometer of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said pedometer of said functional devices is for providing distance traveled by the user.   
   
   
       29 . The cane of  claim 28 , wherein said functional devices comprise a pedometer-activating switch;
 wherein said pedometer-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said pedometer-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said pedometer of said functional devices; and   wherein said pedometer-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said pedometer of said functional devices.   
   
   
       30 . The cane of  claim 29 , wherein said functional devices comprise an accelerometer;
 wherein said accelerometer of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said accelerometer of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said accelerometer of said functional devices is for providing acceleration of the user.   
   
   
       31 . The cane of  claim 30 , wherein said functional devices comprise an accelerometer-activating switch;
 wherein said accelerometer-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said accelerometer-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said accelerometer of said functional devices; and   wherein said accelerometer-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said accelerometer of said functional devices.   
   
   
       32 . The cane of  claim 31 , wherein said functional devices comprise a cell-phone;
 wherein said cell-phone of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said cell-phone of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said cell-phone of said functional devices is for providing cell-phone use for the user.   
   
   
       33 . The cane of  claim 32 , wherein said functional devices comprise a cell-phone keypad;
 wherein said cell-phone keypad of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said cell-phone keypad of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said cell-phone of said functional devices; and   wherein said cell-phone keypad of said functional devices selectively operates said cell-phone of said functional devices.   
   
   
       34 . The cane of  claim 33 , wherein said functional devices comprise an audible message alert;
 wherein said audible message alert of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said audible message alert of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said audible message alert of said functional devices is for providing audible message alerts for the user.   
   
   
       35 . The cane of  claim 34 , wherein said functional devices comprise a message-alert-activating switch;
 wherein said message-alert-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said message-alert-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said audible message alert of said functional devices; and   wherein said message-alert-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said audible message alert of said functional devices.   
   
   
       36 . The cane of  claim 35 , wherein said functional devices comprise an audible stairs/road depression alert;
 wherein said audible stairs/road depression alert of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said audible stairs/road depression alert of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said audible stairs/road depression alert of said functional devices is for alerting a blind user of upcoming stairs or a road depression.   
   
   
       37 . The cane of  claim 36 , wherein said functional devices comprise a stairs/road-depression-alert-activating switch;
 wherein said stairs/road-depression-alert-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said stairs/road-depression-alert-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said stairs/road depression alert of said functional devices; and   wherein said stairs/road-depression-alert-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said stairs/road depression alert of said functional devices.   
   
   
       38 . The cane of  claim 37 , wherein said functional devices comprise a system tester;
 wherein said system tester of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said system tester of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said battery interface of said functional devices; and   wherein said system tester of said functional devices is for testing said functional devices by the user.   
   
   
       39 . The cane of  claim 38 , wherein said functional devices comprise a system tester-activating switch;
 wherein said system tester-activating switch of said functional devices is disposed on said cane body;   wherein said system tester-activating switch of said functional devices is in electrical communication with said system tester of said functional devices; and   wherein said system tester-activating switch of said functional devices selectively operates said system tester of said functional devices.