Emergency Egress Locator

描述（由申请人提供）：本项目将开发并验证一种新的辅助技术，以帮助盲人。紧急出口定位器（EEL）将在紧急情况下为出口提供指导。普通出口标志的照明将被调制以携带引导信息，同时仍然是完全可见的和作为出口标志的功能。盲人将携带或佩戴基于手机的接收器作为计算平台，处理出口标志的光信号，并为盲人提供音频指导。当某些出口因紧急情况受阻时，联网的EEL出口标志将重新配置，引导用户前往安全区域。EEL将是廉价和容易实施的，因为它使用现有的出口标志。EEL将在商业设施中进行演示，并与盲人旅客进行评估。它的辅助能力和与其他辅助技术的比较将被定量测量。该项目将开发一个系统，帮助盲人在紧急情况下安全快速地找到出口。普通的出口标志将被修改为为盲人提供位置和指导，基于手机的定位器将提供寻路音频指导。盲人将能够更安全、更独立地旅行。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project will develop and qualify a new assistive technology to aid persons who are blind. The Emergency Egress Locator (EEL) will provide guidance to exits under emergency conditions. The illumination from ordinary exit signs will be modulated to carry the guidance information while still being totally visible and functional as an exit sign. Persons who are blind will carry or wear a receiver based on a cellphone as a computing platform which processes the optical signal from the exit sign and provides audio guidance to the person who is blind. If some exits are blocked by emergency, the networked EEL exit signs will reconfigure themselves to lead users to a safe area. EEL will be inexpensive and easy to implement because it will use existing exit signs. EEL will be demonstrated in a commercial facility and evaluated with blind travelers. Its assistive capability and comparison with other assistive technologies will be quantitatively measured. This project will develop a system to help persons who are blind find their way to exits safely and quickly in case of emergency. Ordinary exit signs will be modified to provide location and guidance to persons who are blind and cellphone based locators will provide wayfinding audio guidance. Persons who are blind will be able to travel more safely and independently.