System and method for assisting a visually impaired individual

1. A method for assisting a visually impaired individual, the method comprising:

encountering a situation with an obstacle;

capturing audiovisual information at a first wireless device belonging to the visually impaired individual, the audiovisual information relating to the situation;

relaying the captured audiovisual information from the first wireless device to a second wireless device belonging to an assistant, the assistant being a non-specialist without occupational devotion to assisting visually impaired individuals;

rendering the captured audiovisual information at the second wireless device;

performing an analysis of the rendered audiovisual information;

capturing audio information at the second wireless device, the audio information relating to a solution to the obstacle;

relaying the captured audio information from the second wireless device to the first wireless device; and

rendering the captured audio information at the first wireless device, thereby assisting the visually impaired person with the obstacle.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:

compressing the captured audiovisual information at the first wireless device prior to relaying the captured audiovisual information; and

decompressing the compressed audiovisual information at the second wireless device after receiving the compressed audiovisual information at the second wireless device.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein relaying the captured audiovisual information further comprises utilizing a wireless network for the relay.

4. A method for assisting a visually impaired individual, the method comprising:

encountering a situation with an obstacle;

monitoring presence information of a plurality of potential assistants, each of the plurality of assistants being a non-specialist without occupational devotion to assisting visually impaired individuals;

selecting one of the plurality of potential assistants to call based on the presence information;

establishing a communication circuit between a first wireless device associated with the visually impaired individual and a second wireless device associated with the selected assistant;

transmitting a substantially continuous, realtime visual feed from the first wireless device to the second wireless device; and

duplexing audio communication between the first wireless device and the second wireless device, the audio communication including a verbal solution to overcoming the obstacle.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 , further comprising:

compressing the substantially continuous, realtime visual feed prior to transmission from the first wireless device; and

decompressing the substantially continuous, realtime visual feed at the second wireless device.

6. The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein transmitting the substantially continuous, realtime visual feed further comprises utilizing a cellular network.

7. The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein monitoring presence information further comprises analyzing the availability, ability, and willingness of each of the plurality of potential assistants to assist the visually impaired individual.

8. A system for assisting a visually impaired individual, the system comprising:

a first wireless device for polling a plurality of potential assistants in response to encountering an obstacle in a situation, each of the plurality of potential assistants being a non-specialist without occupational devotion to assisting visually impaired individuals;

means for determining availability status of the plurality of potential assistants;

means for selecting one of the plurality of potential assistants to call;

means for establishing a communication circuit between the first wireless device associated with the visually impaired individual and a second wireless device associated with the selected assistant;

means for sending a substantially continuous, realtime visual feed from the first wireless device to the second wireless device; and

means for duplexing audio communication between the first wireless device and the second wireless device, the audio communication including a verbal solution to overcoming the obstacle.

9. The system as recited in claim 8 , further comprising a cellular network for enabling communication between the first wireless device and the second wireless device.

10. The system as recited in claim 8 , wherein the first wireless device further comprises a cellular telephone.

11. The system as recited in claim 8 , further comprising:

means for compressing the substantially continuous, realtime visual feed at the first wireless device; and

means for decompressing the compressed substantially continuous visual feed at the second wireless device.

12. The system as recited in claim 8 , wherein the first wireless device is at least partially integrated with a component selected from the group consisting of the means for determining availability, the means for establishing a communication circuit, the means for sending a substantially continuous, realtime visual feed, and means for duplexing audio communication.