New indoor navigation system for visually impaired people using visible light communication

Abstract

In this study, we propose an indoor navigation system that utilizes visible light communication technology, which employs LED lights and a geomagnetic correction method, aimed at supporting visually impaired people who travel indoors. To verify the effectiveness of this system, we conducted an experiment targeting visually impaired people. Although acquiring accurate positional information and detecting directions indoors is difficult, we confirmed that using this system, accurate positional information and travel direction can be obtained utilizing visible light communication technology, which employs LED lights, and correcting the values of the geomagnetic sensor integrated in a smartphone. © 2013 Nakajima and Haruyama.