Wireless navigational system, device and method

• US 20040155815A1
• Filed: 05/14/2001
• Published: 08/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Muncaster, George W., Austin, William B.
• Application Number:
  US09/854,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20040155815A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.09
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/063 with tactile perception
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/061 with electronic detecting or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0045 Transmission from base station to mobile station G01S5/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A system, device and method for assisting navigation are disclosed. The system comprises at least one positioning support device and a personal portable wireless user device. The positioning support device is operable to be placed near a navigation feature and to communicate appropriate navigational information, including absolute position and relative position with respect to a navigational feature. The user device is operable to receive the navigational information and communicate it to a user. The method operates to permit users to independently navigate local, overland or underwater areas and is especially useful for persons who whose vision may be impaired.

Claims

1. A system for facilitating enhanced personal navigation comprising:

a positioning support device for placement near a navigational feature, the positioning support device transmitting navigational information; and

a user device for receiving navigational information from the positioning support device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the user device is operable to communicate the navigational information to a visually impaired user.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the user device provides the navigational information in a content accessible format.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein multiple positioning Support devices coupled by communication links are placed in multiple locations.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the positioning support device is operable to adapt the navigational information communicated based on changes in environmental conditions.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the user device is capability addressable.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the positioning support device is operable to communicate absolute or relative positions of multiple navigational features.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the system is operable to adapt to the addition, failure, or removal of positioning support devices of the system.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein one or more of the multiple positioning support devices are operable to receive positioning information from a remote positioning system.

10. The system of claim 4, further comprising a remote server communicating with the positioning support devices and operable to update the information communicated to positioning support devices and to receive information from the positioning support devices.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the positioning support devices are placed to aid in water navigation.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein positioning support device are placed to aid in overland navigation.

13. A personal navigation unit comprising:

a receiver operable to receive navigational information; and

an output device coupled to the receiver operable to communicate navigational information.

14. The unit of claim 13, wherein the unit is operable to communicate information to a visually impaired user.

15. The unit of claim 13, wherein the output device provides content accessible notification.

16. The unit of claim 13, wherein the navigational information is received from a positioning support device.

17. The unit of claim 13, wherein the navigational information is received from a positioning support device located near a navigational feature.

18. The unit of claim 16, wherein multiple positioning support devices are coupled by a communications link.

19. The unit of claim 18, wherein the multiple positioning support devices are operable to receive positioning support information from a remote positioning system.

20. The unit of claim 13, further comprising a remote server communicating with the positioning support devices and operable to update the information communicated to the positioning support devices and to receive information from the positioning support devices.

21. The unit of claim 13, wherein the receiver is operable to receive navigational information concerning underwater navigation.

22. The unit of claim 13, wherein the receiver is operable to receive navigational information concerning overland navigation.

23. A method for communicating navigational information to a user comprising:

receiving navigation information at a user device; and

communicating the navigational information to the user.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of communicating comprises communicating with a visually impaired user.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of communicating comprises communicating a content accessible notification.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving information from a positioning support device located near a navigational feature.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising receiving information from multiple positioning support devices coupled together by a communications link.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising receiving information from a remote positioning system at the positioning support device and communicating the information to the user device.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising a remote server communicating with the positioning support devices and operable to update the information communicated to the positioning support devices and to receive information from the positioning support devices.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving navigational information concerning underwater navigation.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of receiving comprises receiving navigational information concerning overland navigation.