Navigation system for disabled persons, in particular visually impaired persons

摘要

A navigation system for disabled persons, in particular visually impaired persons. The navigation system comprises a plurality of transponders (10, 10', 10''; 100) with RFID tags (14), said transponders (10, 10', 10''; 100) being installed at known locations and each of said RFID tags (14) having a unique identifier. The navigation system further comprises a database (66) comprising a mapping of the unique identifiers to the known locations. This system also comprises a portable device (50) having a transceiver (40) for communication with at least one proximate transponder (10, 10', 10''; 100), a storage means (54) for storing content of the database, a processing means (52) for determining information in accordance with the database (66) and the unique identifier of the proximate transponder (10, 10', 10''; 100) and an interface (56) for providing the information to the disabled persons. The transponders (10, 10', 10''; 100) are embedded in footpaths (30, 70) and/or border surfaces of footpaths. Also described is a method for providing a navigation system infrastructure and a transponder (10, 10', 10''; 100) for use in a navigation system.