Navigation system

• US 9,959,781 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2017
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garrett Roark
• Original Assignee: Garrett Roark
• Inventors: Roark, Garrett
• Primary Examiner(s): BLOUIN, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US15/605,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20170345338A1
• Time in Patent Office: 341 Days
• Field of Search: 340 412
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 17/00 Other equipment , e.g. separate apparatus for deodorising, disinfecting or cleaning devices without flushing for toilet bowls, seats or covers; Holders for toilet brushesportable urinating aids A61F5/4556; devices for receiving spittle A61J19/00 ; disinfecting apparatus for medical, surgical or hygienic purposes A61L; cleaning devices with flushing for toilet bowls, seats or covers E03D9/00; for emptying or cleaning chamber-pots, bed pans, bed urinals or the like E03D11/025
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/063 with tactile perception
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/061 with electronic detecting or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/006 using audible presentation of the information
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/007 using both tactile and audible presentation of the information

Abstract

The technology disclosed herein includes a navigation system for a visually impaired person to navigate a public restroom. The navigation system may include a plurality of fixtures, a plurality of installations, wherein each installation is electronically connected to a fixture, and an electronic device, the electronic device configured to receive auditory or tactile signals from each installation and produce a signal indicative of a fixture location. The plurality of fixtures may include a toilet, a urinal, a sink, a soap dispenser, and a hand drying apparatus.

Claims

1. A system for navigating a public restroom, comprising:

a plurality of fixtures;

a plurality of installations, wherein each installation is electronically connected to a fixture, wherein at least one installation is configured to determine an occupancy status of a fixture; and

an electronic device, the electronic device configured to receive signals from each installation and produce a signal indicative of a fixture location.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fixtures includes at least one of a toilet, a urinal, a sink, and a hand drying apparatus.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a user of the electronic device receives at least one of an auditory signal and a tactile signal.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the auditory signal is at least one of a tone, word, and beep.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the sensory signal is a vibration.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one installation includes a proximity sensor configured to determine the occupancy status of a fixture.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is further configured to receive a signal from the installation regarding the occupancy status of a fixture and produce a signal indicative of the occupancy status.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a passive infrared sensor to interrupt sensory feedback to a user via responsive to determining that the fixture is occupied.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is at least one of a key fob, a smart phone, and a cane.

10. A navigation system comprising:

a plurality of fixtures;

an installation pathway including a plurality of installations, wherein each installation corresponds to a fixture, and wherein at least one installation is configured to determine an occupancy status of a fixture; and

a cane configured to receive a signal from the installation pathway and produce a signal indicative of a fixture location.

11. The navigation system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of fixtures includes at least one of a toilet, a urinal, a sink, and a hand drying apparatus.

12. The navigation system of claim 10, wherein the cane is further configured to receive a signal from the installation pathway regarding the occupancy status of a fixture and produce a tactile signal indicative of the occupancy status.

13. The navigation system of claim 10, wherein the installation pathway is an electrical path between the plurality of installations and the plurality of fixtures.

14. The navigation system of claim 10, wherein the installation pathway is a map on the ground of a room and guides a user via the cane through the room.

15. The navigation system of claim 10, wherein a user of the navigation system receives at least one of an auditory signal and a tactile signal.

16. The navigation system of claim 10, wherein the at least one of the plurality of installations includes a proximity sensor configured to determine the occupancy status of a fixture.

17. A method comprising:

activating a navigation system in a restroom;

determining a location of a fixture in the restroom from a fixture installation electronically connected to the fixture;

communicating the location of the fixture from the fixture installation to an electronic device via an installation pathway;

determining an occupancy status of a fixture in the restroom with a proximity sensor;

communicating the occupancy status of the fixture from the proximity sensor to an electronic device via a fixture installation and via the fixture installation and the installation pathway; and

providing sensory feedback to a user regarding the location of the fixture and the occupancy status of the fixture.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

interrupting the sensory feedback to the user via a passive infrared sensor responsive to determining that the fixture is occupied.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing sensory feedback to the user via at least one of a cane, a remote, or a smart phone.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the fixture includes at least one of a toilet, a urinal, a sink, and a hand drying apparatus.