Touch-based exploration of maps for screen reader users
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.
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.