The topographic Braille display is composed of a system similar to a CRT, but instead, the hard glass display is replaced with a soft iron oxide coated mylar type membrane.
解答例
Details that would normally be projected/seen on the typical CRT are now three-dimensionalized against the flexible display membrane and can now be felt by the blind's Braille trained hands.
In this manner, the "big picture" is provided to the user in the form of a map each can use to "feel" his/her way from origin to destination.
Navigational safety functions that could be incorporated are audio and/or Braille warnings as user approaches streets.
This invention includes off the shelf software that runs a GPS navigation system for use by the visually impaired and/or DoD/police that accurately determines user geographic position and provides verbal and/or Braille vectors/directions to selected location(s).
It is a hand-held GPS system for use by the blind and Special Forces/police working in urban areas/buildings requiring light weight/extremely accurate navigation capability.
Unit operated in similar fashion as typical GPS hand held systems, with the main differences being in application, displays, and use of a base server (FIGS. 2 and 3).
Application in total darkness and for use by blind is completely different from existing applications and is made possible by use of an active braille display (FIGS. 4 and 6).
The Braille displays can function/present directional navigation vectors in at least three modes: First and primary mode is audio vectors; second is through basic Braille command vectors presented on the hand-held display (FIG. 4); and third is a complex Braille topographic display depicted on the hand-held display (FIG. 6).
Individual city, street, address, and internal layouts of major buildings are programmed into the system's base station map database.
To ensure the highest accuracy, the base station incorporates a survey-grade GPS system having a proven accuracy of 2-3 centimeters.
The user enters desired address, or location (such as closest toilet, security, emergency medical, emergency exit, or telephone) into the system by typing or speaking (using voice recognition software interface).
Invention in concert with map database and GPS signals provides user present position and vectors to the desired location through audio vector commands such as "turn left, turn right, distance to intersections, roads, stairways, etc."
The basic braille vectors mode (FIG. 4) provides the user with braille vectors providing both distance and direction that the user feels with hand/fingers.
The topographic braille display (FIG. 6) utilizes a modified cathode ray tube to present a moving map three dimensional topographic map of user present position and layout of path which lies in front of vector path to destination.
Invention can incorporate enhanced features such as cellular telephone; weather forecast radio; and/or traffic light signal information.
A mobile navigation system implemented as an embedded system in a vehicle is easy to use, does not detract the driver's attention from the road, and limits the number of choices presented to the user of the navigation system according to a predetermined set of preferences or personalized information.
Choices are filtered according to a set of driver preferences, according to the vehicle's geographic position, direction of motion, and the driver's intended itinerary.
The itinerary, including intermediate stops, is calculated on an external computing system.
The information is downloaded from the computing system to a memory device such as, for example, a smart card.
The information is then transferred from the smart card to the embedded vehicle navigation system.
In one application of the invention, a kiosk located at a car rental agency may be used to create and store personalized navigation information onto a smart card which the customer then inserts into the vehicle navigation system that is installed in the rental car.
The present invention generally relates to an embedded vehicle mobile navigation system and, more particularly, to a vehicle navigation system which limits the number of choices presented to the user and provides a convenient means of transferring personalized preferences and itinerary to the navigation system.
Mobile navigation information systems contain too much information to be of efficient use to a vehicle driver.
The number of possible choices presented for a specific request is too great
The cognitive load required for a driver to sort through the choices makes the sorting operation dangerous for driving.
For instance, a request for hotel choices in a densely populated area may yield fifty possibilities.
A graphic display of all of the choices will be confusing in a situation in which the vehicle is at rest, let alone in motion.
The driver must keep his or her eyes on the road.
Using text-to-speech (TTS) output for the user interface does not solve the problem
