NAVIGATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USERS HAVING DIFFERENT PHYSICAL CLASSIFICATIONS

• US 20110153193A1
• Filed: 12/22/2009
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Roeges, Rex, Vesely, William, Garland, Eric, Fox, Stephen Anthony
• Application Number:
  US12/644,872
• Publication Number:
  US 20110153193A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/201
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation

Abstract

Navigation systems and methods for users having different physical classifications are described. An example method of navigating a user to a destination based on a selected physical classification includes identifying, based on user selection, the physical classification associated with the user and the destination and determining a route to the destination to accommodate the selected physical classification. Additionally, the example method includes conveying the route to the user and alerting the user of one or more items of interest associated with the selected physical classification and the determined route.

Claims

1. A method of navigating a user to a destination based on a selected physical classification, comprising:

identifying, based on user selection, the physical classification associated with the user and the destination;

determining a route to the destination to accommodate the selected physical classification;

conveying the route to the user; and

alerting the user of one or more items of interest associated with the selected physical classification and the determined route.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising alerting the user of one or more items of interest associated with the selected physical classification and the determined route as the user proceeds on the route.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more items of interest comprise obstacles or impairments in the route.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising conveying to the user information associated with one or more previous users and the determined route.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising dynamically updating the route based on current information associated with the route and conveying the updated route to the user.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the user to dynamically update the route.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the user to dynamically update the route based on one or more identified items of interest as the user proceeds on the route.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the route to the destination to accommodate the selected physical classification comprises verifying that the route is passable by the user based on the selected physical classification.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the route to the destination to accommodate the selected physical classification comprises at least identifying conditions on potential routes.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein conveying the route to the user comprises conveying the route to the user by a mobile device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected physical classification comprises at least one of visually impaired or mobility impaired.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the physical classification and the destination comprises selecting the associated classification and the destination using a mobile device.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the user to tailor the selected physical classification.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the user to modify the selected physical classification.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the route to the destination based on the selected physical classification comprises at least determining an appropriate route of entry into a building based on the selected physical classification.

16. A tangible machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause a machine to:

identify, based on user selection, a physical classification associated with the user and a destination;

determine a route to the destination to accommodate the selected physical classification;

convey the route to the user; and

alert the user of one or more items of interest associated with the selected physical classification and the determined route.

17. The tangible machine readable medium of claim 16 having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause the machine to convey to the user information associated with one or more previous users and the determined route.

18. The tangible machine readable medium of claim 16 having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause the machine to dynamically update the route based on current information associated with the route and convey the updated route to the user.

19. The tangible machine readable medium of claim 16 having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause the machine to enable the user to dynamically update the route.

20. A system configured to navigate a user to a destination based on a selected physical classification, comprising:

a processor configured to determine a route to the destination based on the selected physical classification, wherein the processor is to convey the route to the user; and

a data store to store data associated with the route and the selected physical classification.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein conveying the route to the user comprises conveying the route to a mobile device.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein conveying the route to the user comprises conveying the route to an access device.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the access device comprises a computer.

24. The system of claim 20, further comprising a mobile device to enable the user to select the physical classification and the destination.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the processor and the data store are associated with a command center.