Advanced Medical Electronics (AME) proposes the development of an indoor way-finding device utilizing the unique magnetic anomaly patterns that exist in modern, man-made structures. The proposed system will record the magnitude of magnetic field strength from sensors in three orthogonal axes. The time history of these magnetic data points can be continuously compared with an electronic map of magnetic anomalies (or, """"""""signature"""""""") to determine current position within a building. The phase I developed prototype system tracked in feasibility experiments with an accuracy of 1 foot (radius). Magnetic anomalies render a magnetic compass useless for finding a directional bearing. However, these same invisible anomalies represent valuable, unique indoor terrain features measurable by magnetic sensors located inside a small, portable device. Such a device would be able to provide low-vision users with a valuable indoor low-cost way-finding tool analogous to a Global Positioning System (GPS) device used outdoors. About 3.7 million Americans are visually disabled. Of these, 200,000 are blind, and the rest have low vision. The key advantage of the way-finding concept presented in this proposal, over other methods, is that the benefits are made available to the visually impaired community without requiring expensive building infrastructure investments. This is of particular advantage to large government buildings and educational campuses. The proposed approach allows a cost effective solution to way-finding within these buildings. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
5R44EY015616-04
Application #
7477498
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BDCN-F (12))
Program Officer
Wujek, Jerome R
Project Start
2004-04-01
Project End
2010-06-30
Budget Start
2008-07-01
Budget End
2010-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$365,248
Indirect Cost
Name
Advanced Medical Electronics Corporation
Department
Type
DUNS #
927303412
City
Maple Grove
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55369
Kalia, Amy A; Schrater, Paul R; Legge, Gordon E (2013) Combining path integration and remembered landmarks when navigating without vision. PLoS One 8:e72170