Systems and Methods for Providing Information Pertaining to Physical Infrastructure of a Building or Property

• US 20130205257A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 08/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Albright Insights, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Albright Insights, Inc.
• Inventors: Albright, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,632,671 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/810
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 for indoor environments, e.g. buildings

Abstract

A computer implemented system and method for displaying information pertaining to physical infrastructure in a building or on a property via a mobile software application operating or a mobile device are provided. The mobile software application includes steps of (a) optionally displaying a list of selectable buildings and/or areas at a property, (b) optionally displaying a list of selectable floors if a building having multiple floors is selected, (c) displaying a list of points of interest for the selected floor, building or area, and (d) displaying a floor plan or area map with selected points of interest highlighted.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform a method comprising the steps of:

determining the location of a mobile device; and

operating the mobile device with a mobile software application for retrieving data from memory and having a user interface and a display, wherein the mobile software application includes machine executable instructions for performing the steps of;

(a) displaying a vertical listing comprising areas at a property that are handicapped accessible;

(b) displaying with the areas at the property a list of categories including points of interest; and

(c) displaying dimensions of the selected point of interest with user information regarding detail so the selected point of interests handicapped accessibility for allowing persons to determine if a wheelchair is maneuverable within the selected point of interest.

2. A non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, in which the mobile software application displays a particular point of interest on a floor plan along with textual and/or graphical information pertaining to a selected point of interest.

3. A non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communications system for receiving data from a remotely located server.

4. A non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone.

5. A computer implemented method for displaying information pertaining to physical infrastructure in a building via a mobile software application operating on a mobile device, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining position of the mobile device using a global positioning system (GPS);

(b) displaying a selection of buildings and/or areas of a property for user selection,

(c) displaying a selection of floors of a building if a building with multiple floor levels has been selected,

(d) displaying a list of points of interest for a selected floor that is handicapped accessible, and

(e) displaying a floor plan with selected points of interest highlighted such that dimensions of the selected area are displayed with user information regarding details of handicapped accessibility for allowing persons to determine if they can maneuver a wheelchair within the selected area.

6. The method of claim 5, in which the mobile software application displays detailed textual and/or graphical information pertaining to a selected, point of interest using an icon.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising a wireless communications system for receiving data from a remotely located server.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising a wireless communications system for providing communication to the mobile device for receiving data.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the wireless communications system transmits information input by other users to the remote server.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the mobile device is a cellular telephone.

11. A system for displaying information pertaining to a physical infrastructure in a building for assisting handicapped individuals comprising:

a mobile device operating a global positioning system (GPS) and a software application having a user interface and a display, where the software application includes machine executable instructions for displaying points of interest within the building; and

wherein the software application further displays points of interest for a selected floor of a building having a selected area that is handicapped accessible such that dimensions of the selected area are displayed with user information regarding details of handicapped accessibility for allowing persons to determine if they can maneuver in specified locations based on detailed measurements of the selected area regarding details of handicapped accessibility entered by other users for allowing persons to determine if they can maneuver a wheelchair within the selected area.

12. A computer implemented system as in claim 11, wherein the selected area includes at least one of a restroom, elevator or entrance.

13. A computer implemented system as in claim 11, wherein the software application includes a user interface for allowing a user to enter dimensional parameters that are stored via the Internet for use by other users.

14. A computer implemented method as in claim 11, wherein the selected area includes at least one of a restroom, elevator or entrance.

15. A computer implemented method as in claim 11, wherein the software application includes a user interface for allowing a user to enter dimensional parameters for finding a handicapped acceptable area that is compliant with predetermined criteria.

16. A system as in claim 15, wherein the predetermined criteria is the American Disabilities Act (ADA).

17. A system as in claim 15, wherein the dimensional parameters are manually entered by the user.

18. A system as in claim 15, wherein the dimensional parameters can entered by other users.

19. A system as in claim 18, wherein the dimensional parameters are stored via the Internet.

20. A system as in claim 11, where the mobile device is a cellular telephone.