IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,134,305
Granted Patent B2
US 10,134,305 · App. 15/880,355 · Granted Nov 20, 2018

Navigation system

Inventor: Garrett Roark (Cheyenne, WY)
G09B21/006A47K17/00A61H3/061G08B7/06G09B21/007A61H2003/063
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,134,305
App. No.
15/880,355
Granted
Nov 20, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

The technology disclosed herein includes a navigation system for a visually impaired person. 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.

Claims (35)

1. A system for navigation, 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 the at least one installation includes a proximity sensor configured to determine the occupancy status of a fixture.

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

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

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the auditory signal is at least one of a tone, word, and beep.

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

8. 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.

9. The system of claim 8 , further comprising:

a sensor to interrupt sensory feedback to a user to determine that the fixture is occupied.

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 device 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 device is further configured to receive a signal from the installation pathway regarding the occupancy status of a fixture and produce a signal indicative of the occupancy status.

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

14. The navigation system of claim 10 , wherein the installation pathway is data that guides a user via the device 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 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;

determining a location of a fixture with the navigation system;

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

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

communicating the occupancy status of the fixture using the proximity sensor with an electronic device via a 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 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 device, 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.

Continuity (3)
Continuation 15605713 · May 25, 2017
Provisional Application 62342002 · May 26, 2016
Related Publication 20180151089A1 · May 31, 2018