TOUCH-BASED EXPLORATION OF MAPS FOR SCREEN READER USERS
First Claim
1. A method for presenting map information to a user, the method comprising:
- accessing a map, the map including a set of paths;
receiving, via an input component of an electronic device, an input from the user;
determining an input-space point within an input space corresponding to the input;
associating the input-space point with a geographic location identified by the map;
determining whether the geographic location coincides with a path of the set of paths; and
providing, via an output component of the electronic device, non-visual output that indicates whether the geographic location coincides with the path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic device can provide an interactive map with non-visual output, thereby making the map accessible to visually impaired users. The map can be based on a starting location defined based on a current location of the electronic device or on a location entered by the user. Nearby paths, nearby points of interest, or directions from the starting location to an ending location can be identified via audio output. Users can touch a screen of the electronic device in order to virtually explore a neighborhood. A user can be alerted when he is moving along or straying from a path, approaching an intersection or point of interest, or changing terrains. Thus, the user can familiarize himself with city-level spatial relationships without needing to physically explore unfamiliar surroundings.
32 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for presenting map information to a user, the method comprising:
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accessing a map, the map including a set of paths; receiving, via an input component of an electronic device, an input from the user; determining an input-space point within an input space corresponding to the input; associating the input-space point with a geographic location identified by the map; determining whether the geographic location coincides with a path of the set of paths; and providing, via an output component of the electronic device, non-visual output that indicates whether the geographic location coincides with the path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for presenting map information to a user, the method comprising:
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receiving, via an input component of an electronic device, an input trajectory from a user, the input trajectory including a motion from a first input point to a second input point; associating the input trajectory with a geographic trajectory; determining a characteristic of the geographic trajectory, wherein the characteristic characterizes a degree to which the geographic trajectory tracks a trajectory of a path or route; and providing, via an output component of the electronic device, non-visual output that indicates the characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for presenting map information to a user, the method comprising:
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receiving, via one or more input components of an electronic device, a destination input from the user, the destination input identifying a destination location; determining a geographic destination location based on the destination input; determining a geographic starting location; receiving, via the one or more input components, an origination input from a user; determining an origination input-space point within an input space to be associated with the geographic starting location, the origination input-space point being determined based on the origination input; determining a destination input-space point within the input space to be associated with the geographic destination location; determining directions between the geographic starting location and the geographic ending location; providing, via an output component of the electronic device, non-visual output that identifies at least part of the directions; receiving, via the one or more input components, movement input from the user; and providing, via the output component device, non-visual output that indicates whether the movement input is tracking the directions. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A mobile electronic device comprising:
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a touchscreen configured to receive inputs from a user; an output component configured to provide outputs to the user; a processor coupled to the touchscreen and the output component; and a computer-readable storage medium containing program instructions, that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute a method comprising; accessing a map, the map including a set of paths; receiving, via the touchscreen, an input from a user; determining an input-space point within an input space corresponding to the input; associating the input-space point with a geographic location identified by the map; determining whether the geographic location coincides with a path of the set of paths; and providing, via the output component, non-visual output that indicates whether the geographic location coincides with the path. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A mobile electronic device comprising:
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a touchscreen configured to receive inputs from a user; an output component configured to provide outputs to the user; a processor coupled to the touchscreen and the output component; and a computer-readable storage medium containing program instructions, that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute a method comprising; receiving, via the touchscreen, an input trajectory from a user, the input trajectory including a motion from a first input point to a second input point; associating the input trajectory with a geographic trajectory; determining a characteristic of the geographic trajectory, wherein the characteristic characterizes a degree to which the geographic trajectory tracks a trajectory of a path or route; and providing, via the output component device, non-visual output that identifies the characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method for presenting geographical information to a user, the method comprising:
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automatically detecting, using a measurement collected by a sensor of an electronic device, a first location of the electronic device; projecting a second location of the electronic device along a forward direction based on the first location; identifying a geographical feature at or near the second location; and providing, via an output component of the electronic device, non-visual output that identifies the geographical feature. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification