Touch-based exploration of maps for screen reader users

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9429431-B2
Application number	US-201213605407-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 6, 2012
Priority date	Jun 8, 2012
Publication date	Aug 30, 2016
Grant date	Aug 30, 2016

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

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 a touchscreen, touch pad, or computer mouse 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;
receiving, via the touchscreen, touch pad, or computer mouse of the electronic device, an input trajectory from the user that is initiated at the input-space point; and
providing, via an output component of the electronic device, non-visual output that characterizes a degree to which the input trajectory tracks a path of the set of paths, wherein the non-visual output indicates whether the input trajectory is veering off of the path, the path being associated with a previous input.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the non-visual output comprises an audio output.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein a frequency of the audio output depends on whether the geographic location coincides with the path of the set of paths.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the set of paths includes a set of streets.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising, upon determining that the geographic location coincides with the path of the set of paths:
determining a nearby second path that insects with the path; and
audibly identifying the nearby second path.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising audibly identifying places near the geographic location.

7. A mobile electronic device comprising:
a touchscreen, touch pad, or computer mouse 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, touch pad, or computer mouse, 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;
receiving, via the touchscreen, touch pad, or computer mouse of the electronic device, an input trajectory from the user that is initiated at the input-space point; and
providing, via the output component of the electronic device, non-visual output that characterizes a degree to which the input trajectory tracks a path of the set of paths, wherein the non-visual output indicates whether the input trajectory is veering off of the path, the path being associated with a previous input.

8. The mobile electronic device of claim 7 wherein the output component includes a motor capable of vibrating the mobile electronic device.

9. The mobile electronic device of claim 7 further comprising:
a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver configured to receive GPS signals, wherein the method further comprises determining a current location of the mobile electronic device based on received GPS signals, and wherein the path includes a path associated with the current location.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the following operations:
accessing a map, the map including a set of paths;
receiving, via a touchscreen, touch pad, or computer mouse 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;
receiving, via the touchscreen, touch pad, or computer mouse of the electronic device, an input trajectory from the user that is initiated at the input-space point; and
providing, via an output component of the electronic device, non-visual output that characterizes a degree to which the input trajectory tracks a path of the set of paths, wherein the non-visual output indicates whether the input trajectory is veering off of the path, the path being associated with a previous input.

Assignees

• Fleizach Christopher B
• Hudson Reginald D
• Pedersen Michael M
• White Samuel C
• Lopes Da Silva Joel
• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Fleizach Christopher B
• Hudson Reginald D
• Pedersen Michael M
• White Samuel C
• Lopes Da Silva Joel

Classifications

• G01C21/3697

  Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level (G01C21/3679 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01C21/34

  Route searching; Route guidance · CPC title

• G01C21/20 Primary

  Instruments for performing navigational calculations (G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence) · CPC title

• G01C21/206

  specially adapted for indoor navigation · CPC title

• G06F3/04883

  for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text · CPC title