×

System, method and apparatus for providing navigational assistance

  • US 7,620,493 B2
  • Filed: 06/08/2006
  • Issued: 11/17/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A system to assist a user with low-vision to navigate from a current location to a second location within an indoor environment, the system comprising:

  • a distance determination device suitable for use within the indoor environment;

    a memory containing an environment data of the indoor environment;

    a user interface suitable for use by the user with low-vision; and

    a processing unit communicably coupled to the distance determination device, the memory, and the user interface, wherein the processing unit is configured todetermine, via the distance determination device, a distance traveled by the user in the indoor environment or from the user to one or more objects in the indoor environment;

    identify a current location in the indoor environment using the distance and the environment data;

    determine a route in the indoor environment to the second location based on the current location and the environment data; and

    provide via the user interface, a directional cue to the user with low-vision based on the route;

    wherein the distance determination device determines the distance, at least in part, by transmitting and receiving a signal to be reflected from the one or more objects and then returned to the distance determination device, and wherein the signal received is a substantially same signal as the signal transmitted.

View all claims
  • 5 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×