METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING NAVIGATION ASSISTANCE TO A USER

• US 20150070129A1
• Filed: 09/12/2013
• Published: 03/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Djugash, Joseph M.A., Moore, Douglas A., Sisbot, Emrah A.
• Application Number:
  US14/025,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20150070129A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/4.12
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing navigation assistance to a user are disclosed. A method for providing navigation assistance to a user includes defining at least one virtual wall along at least a portion of a path for navigation through an environment. The at least one virtual wall is offset from the path by an offset distance. The method further includes determining a location of the user and providing tactile feedback to the user, automatically by a processor, when the location of the user is within a threshold distance of the at least one virtual wall.

Claims

1. A method for providing navigation assistance to a user, the method comprising:

defining at least one virtual wall along at least a portion of a path for navigation through an environment, wherein the at least one virtual wall is offset from the path by an offset distance;

determining a location of the user; and

providing tactile feedback to the user, automatically by a processor, when the location of the user is within a threshold distance of the at least one virtual wall.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold distance is zero.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the path includes a centerline;

the at least one virtual wall includes a first virtual wall and a second virtual wall; and

the first virtual wall and the second virtual wall are offset from the centerline.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing tactile feedback to the user includes providing vibration, providing an air puff, or providing pressure.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a hazard along the path; and

providing tactile feedback when the hazard is detected.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the location of the user is determined based on a location of a hand of the user or a location of a cane.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein tactile feedback is provided to the user through an array of vibrating devices, air blowing devices, or pressure generating devices.

8. A system for providing navigation assistance to a user, the system comprising:

an electronic control unit comprising a non-transitory electronic memory that stores a set of machine readable instructions and a processor for executing the machine readable instructions; and

a tactile feedback device communicatively coupled with the electronic control unit, wherein when executed by the processor, the machine readable instructions cause the system to;

define at least one virtual wall along at least a portion of a path for navigation through an environment, wherein the at least one virtual wall is offset from the path by an offset distance;

determine a location of the user; and

provide tactile feedback to the user with the tactile feedback device when the location of the user is within a threshold distance of the at least one virtual wall.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the threshold distance is zero.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the path includes a centerline, the at least one virtual wall includes a first virtual wall and a second virtual wall, and the first virtual wall and the second virtual wall are offset from the centerline.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein providing tactile feedback to the user includes providing vibration, providing an air puff, or providing pressure.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein when executed by the processor, the machine readable instructions cause the system to:

detect a hazard along the path; and

provide tactile feedback when the hazard is detected.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the location of the user is determined based on a location of a hand of the user or a location of a cane.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the system is integrated into a wearable device.

15. The system of claim 8, further comprising an audible feedback device communicatively coupled with the electronic control unit, wherein when executed by the processor, the machine readable instructions cause the system to:

provide audible feedback to the user with the audible feedback device when the location of the user is within the threshold distance of the at least one virtual wall.

16. A method for providing navigation assistance to a user, the method comprising:

defining at least one virtual wall along at least a portion of a path for navigation through an environment, wherein the at least one virtual wall is offset from the path by an offset distance;

determining a location of the user; and

providing audible feedback to the user, automatically by a processor, when the location of the user is within a threshold distance of the at least one virtual wall.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the threshold distance is zero.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the path includes a centerline;

the at least one virtual wall includes a first virtual wall and a second virtual wall; and

the first virtual wall and the second virtual wall are offset from the centerline.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

detecting a hazard along the path; and

providing audible feedback when the hazard is detected.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

determining a distance of the user from the virtual wall; and

providing audible feedback to the user, wherein the audible feedback is indicative of the distance of the user from the virtual wall.