Wireless handheld portabel navigation system and method for visually impaired pedestrians
First Claim
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1. A wireless handheld portable navigation system for visually impaired pedestrians, comprising:
- a GPS receiver;
a dead reckoning unit;
a storage system for storing information related to spatial coordinates;
a digital camera for image capture;
power means for powering said wireless navigation system;
a handheld computing platform operatively associated with said GPS receiver, said dead reckoning unit and with said storage system for calculating a precise user position, speed and orientation on a street segment and for guiding the user on a predefined route, said handheld computing platform being further operatively connected to said digital camera; and
input and output means to enter information into said system and to receive information from said system.
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Abstract
This invention relates to a system for orienting and guiding visually impaired pedestrians. The system combines a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to a dead reckoning unit that compensates for GPS imprecision and loss of signal. The system is highly portable: it is based on a handheld portable computing platform that communicates wirelessly with a self-powered strap containing the GPS receiver and the dead reckoning unit. The system also uses wireless protocols to receive additional orientation information from a remote location server or operator accessible through the internet.
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18 Claims
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1. A wireless handheld portable navigation system for visually impaired pedestrians, comprising:
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a GPS receiver;
a dead reckoning unit;
a storage system for storing information related to spatial coordinates;
a digital camera for image capture;
power means for powering said wireless navigation system;
a handheld computing platform operatively associated with said GPS receiver, said dead reckoning unit and with said storage system for calculating a precise user position, speed and orientation on a street segment and for guiding the user on a predefined route, said handheld computing platform being further operatively connected to said digital camera; and
input and output means to enter information into said system and to receive information from said system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification