Pedestrian Mapping System

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a system and method for a web-based mapping and routing service for pedestrians, which may include wheeled transportation (e.g. buses). More specifically, the present invention is directed toward use on a college campus. The present invention provides customized pedestrian routes highlighting campus and community locations while providing navigation options concerning walking distance and safety factors. This provides custom routes to each user that are designed to be optimized for safety or speed depending on user input.

1 . A computer readable medium having instructions for causing a computer to execute a method comprising:
 generating a start and end point;   generating a safety factor;   providing route data comprising segments, safety ratings, and lengths wherein each segment has an associated safety rating and length;   determining at least one route between the start and end point from the route data and the safety factor;   wherein the at least one route is determined by selecting a series of at least one segment that has a lowest weight compared to the weight of at least one other series of at least one other segment wherein the weight of each segment is calculated by an equation that uses a non-linear relationship between the route data and the safety factor; and   identifying a representation of the at least one route.   
     
     
         2 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the method includes at least one segment determined by using a safety factor set by a user. 
     
     
         3 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the method includes at least one waypoint selected by the user. 
     
     
         4 . The medium of  claim 4 , wherein the method includes at least two waypoints. 
     
     
         5 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the method further provides pictures to help unfamiliar users identify locations along the route. 
     
     
         6 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the method further includes a desired distance. 
     
     
         7 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the method further includes streaming vendor deals along a route. 
     
     
         8 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the method further including unidirectional segments. 
     
     
         9 . A directional guide for safe passage between at least two points comprising:
 at least one segment having a length and a safety rating connecting the at least two points;   at least one direction identifying the at least one segment; and   wherein the at least one segment is determined by calculating the segment weight from the at least one segment's length and safety rating using a non-linear relationship.   
     
     
         10 . The directional guide of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one direction is at least one audio direction. 
     
     
         11 . The directional guide of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one direction is at least one textual direction. 
     
     
         12 . The directional guide of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one direction is at least one graphical direction. 
     
     
         13 . The directional guide of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one segment is further determined by using a safety factor set by a user. 
     
     
         14 . The directional guide of  claim 9 , further including at least one waypoint, wherein the waypoints are selected by the user. 
     
     
         15 . The directional guide of  claim 14 , further including at least two waypoints. 
     
     
         16 . The directional guide of  claim 9 , further including pictures to help unfamiliar users identify locations along the route. 
     
     
         17 . The directional guide of  claim 9 , further including a desired distance. 
     
     
         18 . The directional guide of  claim 9 , further including streaming vendor deals along a route. 
     
     
         19 . The directional guide of  claim 9 , further including unidirectional segments.