Claims:We Claim:
1. A method for providing geographic information to the physically disabled, comprising:
a. receiving input to enable a probe sensor that is associated with a physically disabled user;
b. collecting geographic data via the probe sensor when the device is used by a physically disabled user; and
c. providing the collected geographic data to a data collection facility to develop data corresponding to the navigation database.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the input which is received designates the type of user using the probe sensor.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the physically disabled user can be walking impaired, sight impaired, or hearing impaired.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the device can be a harness or support configured to be carried by the being with the physical disability.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the device assists the physically disabled user by helping in making movement, which can be a wheelchair, crutches, or a walking stick.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the collected geographic data includes position data.
, Description:Technical Field of the Invention
The technical part of the invention relates to collecting, generating, storing, and/or using data and, more particularly, to geographic probe data and uses thereof.
Background of the Invention
Navigation systems or devices may provide useful guidance or route information. For example, an end user navigation device may provide a display of a route and/or directions from an origin to a desired destination. Such navigation devices may use or rely on a geographic database that includes geographic data records representing a geographic region.
For example, in regard to vehicle navigation, road data segments or links and node data records corresponding to respective real-world roads and intersections are stored in a geographic database. These road segments and node data are retrieved when forming a navigation route from one place to another. As time goes on, new and different roads are built and/or existing structures may be modified. To accommodate for the changes as well as for general enhancement purposes, geographic databases are updated time to time.
However, such updates may involve a map developer driving and collecting geographic data of new streets or modified streets, or the map developer may rely on third party information. Time and cost may limit how much geographic data and types of data to be collected or provided. For example, data collection or acquisition may be focused on traditional streets and paths, which may not include data corresponding to handicapped or physical disability accessible paths or ways. Or, such collection of data corresponding to handicapped or physical disability accessible paths or ways may be time consuming or not as cost effective.
Object of the Invention
The object of the present invention is to System and Method for physical disability for Geographic information
Summary of The Invention
According to one aspect, a method of obtaining data for a geographic and/or navigation database is provided. For example, the method includes receiving input to enable a probe sensor that is associated with a device used by a being with a physical disability. Geographic data is collected via the probe sensor when the device is in use by the being with the physical disability. The collected geographic data is provided to a data collection facility to develop data corresponding to the geographic and/or navigation database.
The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. Further aspects and advantages of the invention are discussed below in conjunction with the preferred embodiments.
Brief Description of Drawings
FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of enhancing or using data with a navigation and/or geographic database.
Detailed Description of Invention
FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of enhancing or using data, such as related to a navigation and/or geographic database. Fewer or more steps or acts may be provided, and a combination of steps may be provided. Also, the steps or acts may be performed in the order as shown or in a different order. The method is implemented by the system and/or devices described herein or by different devices or systems. One or more steps or processes of the method may be fully or partially automated (such as via a computer or algorithm).
In one embodiment, a data collection facility, such as the facility, and/or map developer receives probe data from one or more probes or probe devices, such as the probes, the probe, the probe sensor, and/or the sensor. For example, data or data packets, such as the data packets, are received. The received data may be received in an aggregated format or the facility may aggregate the data, such as based on ID information, position information, and/or other information. In one embodiment, the facility may aggregate or average probe data from different probes that relate to same or substantially the same paths or access ways or portions thereof. Also, the facility may compute average speeds or velocities regarding a certain path or portion thereof based on collected data from multiple probes.
The received data or portions thereof are compared with map data or related information of a geographic region .For example, aggregated or separate position data of the probes is compared with road or path segment data records, node records, and/or other map data, such as existing data stored in or associated with the map database, for one or more regions. GPS traces from probes may be overlaid, superimposed, and/or compared to known or existing roads or paths to discover what new, modified, or different paths are being used by people with one or more physical disabilities. Such comparisons may be accomplished via manual visual detection using a workstation and/or via automated detection processes. Map matching processes and/or any known or future comparison techniques may be used.
Variances based on the comparison are ascertained, such as to determine new or modified pathways corresponding to one or more physical disabilities .For example, while comparing probe data (or portions thereof) with map data, variances or diversions of the probe data from the existing map structure may be noticed or identified. These variances may represent new or modified paths or access ways corresponding to a physical disability, such as a wheelchair ramp or other path or way. Any known or future technique for identifying variances from map data may be utilized.
Geographic or map data records are generated, such as based on the comparison and/or the variance identification. The generated data records represent the identified physical disability or handicapped access ways or paths. For example, the generated data records may be path segment records, node data records, carto records, and/or other map or geographic data/information that corresponds to physical disability paths or structures thereof. Speed or velocity data, such as average speed or velocity data, may be associated with the generated data, such as with each respective path segment record. The speed data may be used for calculating respective arrival times, expected travel times to a destination (e.g., speed probe data is used to determine travel times or how long it takes to travel on one or more road segments or routes), and/or for other navigation-related features. Also, collected time data or time stamps may be associated with the generated data or used to allow for better calculation of speed over a long distance and possibly enable some other features (such as identifying areas on a route that are difficult to navigate and cause very slow speeds, e.g., a turnstile). Any known or future techniques to create or generate map data records may be used.
The physical disability data may be attributed with one or more physical disability designations. For example, some data records may be attributed with a type designation, such as wheelchair, crutches, or walking stick and/or walking impaired, sight impaired, or hearing impaired. Alternatively, a general physical disability or handicap designation may be used. The attribute designation may be based on input data associated with respective probe data (such as probe data designated with a specific and/or general disability type via an input from the probe or probe user) or may be based on the fact that the probe data is coming from a probe associated with a physical disability. The attribute designation or ID may be used to retrieve the associated data when forming a route that wants to include one or more paths that are suitable for the specific type, such as a path suitable for a wheelchair, or for a physical disability in general. The embodiments described herein focus of physical disabilities or physical disability devices. In alternative embodiments, the techniques and systems described herein may be used with child transport devices (such as strollers), baggage (such as rolling luggage), shopping carts, and/or other devices or transports that may require special access points, ways, or paths relative to general paths or access ways.