METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING MAP INTERACTIVITY FOR A VISUALLY-IMPAIRED USER

• US 20130042180A1
• Filed: 08/11/2011
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: SAI, Jayant, Tsaran, Victor
• Granted Patent: US 9,087,455 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/729
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/006 using audible presentation of the information
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/008 using visual presentation of the information for the partially sighted
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods

Abstract

Map interactivity for a visually-impaired user is provided. A map is displayed on a display module of a device and a grid is overlaid onto the displayed map using a rendering module. Each cell of the grill corresponds to a location on the map. Further, a user selection is received using the input module concerning a cell of the grid from the displayed map. Information associated with a selected cell is retrieved using the location module within the device and a speech segment relating to the information is output using an output module.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing map interactivity for a visually-impaired user, comprising:

displaying a map on a device;

overlaying a grid onto the displayed map, each cell of the grill corresponding to a location on the map;

receiving a user selection concerning a cell of the grid from the displayed map;

retrieving information associated with a selected cell; and

outputting a speech segment relating to the information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

initializing a mode in the device to assist visually-impaired users.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the map comprises:

displaying the map on a touch screen display device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the map comprises:

displaying a first layer of the map;

responsive to a user selection, displaying a second layer of the map having greater detail than the first layer.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first and second layers each comprise one of a continent layer, a country layer, a state layer, a county layer, a city layer, a neighborhood layer, a street layer, and a street address layer.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a current location of the device;

centering the map on the current location; and

responsive to a change in the current location, updating the map centering.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises a location on the map associated with the cell.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises a fact concerning a location on the map associated with the cell.

9. A computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium that when executed by a processor, performs a method for providing map interactivity for a visually-impaired user, comprising:

displaying a map on a device;

overlaying a grid onto the displayed map, each cell of the grill corresponding to a location on the map;

receiving a user selection concerning a cell of the grid from the displayed map;

retrieving information associated with a the selected cell; and

outputting a speech segment relating to the information.

10. The computer program product of claim 9, further comprising:

initializing a mode in the device to assist visually-impaired users.

11. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein displaying the map comprises:

displaying the map on a touch screen display device.

12. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein displaying the map comprises:

displaying a first layer of the map;

responsive to a user selection, displaying a second layer of the map having greater detail than the first layer.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the first and second layers each comprise one of a continent layer, a country layer, a state layer, a county layer, a city layer, a neighborhood layer, a street layer, and a street address layer.

14. The computer program product of claim 9, further comprising:

determining a current location of the device;

centering the map on the current location; and

responsive to a change in the current location, updating the map centering.

15. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the information comprises a location on the map associated with the cell.

16. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the information comprises a fact concerning a location on the map associated with the cell.

17. A device to provide map interactivity for a visually-impaired user, comprising:

a display module to output a map;

a rendering module to overlay a grid onto the displayed map, each cell of the grill corresponding to a location on the map;

an input module to receive a user selection concerning a cell of the grid from the displayed map;

a location module to retrieve information associated with a the selected cell; and

an output module to generate a speech segment relating to the information.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the display module comprises a touch screen display module.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the display module outputs a first layer of the map, and responsive to a user selection, the display module outputs a second layer of the map having greater detail than the first layer.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the first and second layers each comprise one of a continent layer, a country layer, a state layer, a county layer, a city layer, a neighborhood layer, a street layer, and a street address layer.