PDAs Buildings
The effort to allow barrier-free access to public buildings, visually impaired was previously high with the mobile safely through buildings and facilities. Sublime marks in the ground or tactile plans were an expensive and on the other hand, often demanding in the implementation, not least for those affected. In the framework of a research project that was funded by the European Fund for regional development (EFRE) and of the Innovationsprogrammes of the Saarland, the Eyeled GmbH developed a completely new technique to barrier-free indoor navigation for the visually impaired. Thus a rule existing Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone with Symbian OS enough the visually impaired, large administrative buildings safe and easy to navigate. To do this he uses cutting-edge Eyeled technology software, which can be charged at home or via Bluetooth connection in the building on the phone. After the visually impaired voice has selected his target, such as a particular Office, it is Bluetooth beacons, so small position transmitters, audio signals from his mobile phone installed there safely run with help from later in the building.
The aim of the project was,”explains Eyeled project manager Markus Blanchebarbe, to find a solution any closer the users of great building accessibility and that work reliably also in practice. To optimize the cost of such a system, own mobile phones of customers should be kept usable and at the same time the infrastructure costs as low as possible for the facilities of the buildings with the new technology. The new system also works in large and complex buildings very reliable and can be integrated in an existing signs, for example. As an experienced partner for the planning and installation of the renowned manufacturer and developer of guidance and information systems, the company SIGNTEC from Langenfeld in the Rhineland, won. SIGNTEC has as one of the leading developers of haptic fonts for signs and plans on a wealth of experience in barrier-free signs in public buildings. For municipalities and communities, the development means significant savings and simplifications in the implementation of the required accessibility in public buildings and facilities. Background information Bluetooth is an internationally standardized short-range radio, developed under the leadership of the Swedish mobile phone company Ericsson in 1994. Goal was to create a low-cost and low-power wireless connection between mobile phone and accessories.
The devices operate in the 2.4 gigahertz band. The maximum range is approximately 10 meters. Bluetooth beacons have a speaker to output audio signals. The beacons can be used depending on the configuration as a navigation landmark both as an acoustic landmark or acoustic navigation aid. The Eyeled GmbH specialises in mobile consulting, software engineering and implementation of highly innovative and sophisticated software solutions for mobile devices such as PDAs, Specialized smartphones, iPhones, BlackBerry and mobile phones. In addition to systems for mobile workers, the Eyeled GmbH multi media guides developed museums, trade fairs and congresses. The Eyeled GmbH was founded in 2000 as a spin-off of the DFKI (German Research Center for artificial intelligence) in Saarbrucken and has currently 17 employees. Petra Obrez-Wilhelm