Virtual tile routing for navigating complex transit hubs

A computer implemented navigation system, comprising:

• a mobile device comprising a display and one or more processors;
• one or more memories;
• and a navigation application stored in the one or more memories, wherein the navigation application executed by the one or more processors:
• accesses a tessellated map, the tessellated map comprising a plurality of tiles on a map of a transit hub or plaza, wherein the tiles comprise:
• first tiles, wherein each of the first tiles is a single tile sized to define an area of interest on the map, so that tiles adjacent the single tile are outside the area of interest;
• and
• second tiles, wherein a combination of the second tiles includes a walkable area connecting the areas of interest;
• and
• causes the display coupled to the one or more processors to:
• indicate, using a first color, one of the first tiles including one of the different areas of interest selected using input from a user;
• indicate, using a second color, one of the second tiles including a location of the mobile device on the map;
• and
• indicate a route using a series of the second tiles linking the location to the one of the areas of interest;
• and
• wherein the application indicates the tiles on the display using highlighting readable by the user comprising a visually impaired user or a representation readable by the user comprising a visually impaired user, including updating the highlighting of the second tiles as the mobile device moves along the route so that only the one of the second tiles including the location of the mobile device is highlighted with the second color.

A computer implemented method, comprising:

• creating a route for navigating a transit hub or plaza using a navigation application executing on a user's mobile device, including:
• accessing a tessellated map, the tessellated map comprising tiles on a map of a transit hub or a plaza, wherein the tiles comprise:
• first tiles, each of the first tiles including a different area of interest on the map;
• and
• second tiles, wherein a plurality of the second tiles include a walkable area connecting the different areas of interest;
• indicating one of the first tiles with a first color, wherein each of the first tiles is a first type of single tile sized and colored to define one of the different areas of interest selected from a boarding area, a ticketing area, a ticket checking area, a crossing area, a shelter area, or an exit area, so that the tiles adjacent the first type of single tile are differentiated as being outside the one of the different areas of interest;
• indicating, with a second color, one of the second tiles including a location of the mobile device on the map wherein each of the second tiles is a second type of single tile sized and colored to define an area having a certain purpose so that tiles adjacent the second type of single tile are differentiated as not having the certain purpose;
• indicating, using a colored highlighting, a series of the second tiles linking the location to the one of the different areas of interest;
• identifying the one of the second tiles with respect to a relevant landmark to aid with orientation;
• requesting a destination served using a departure from the boarding area in the transit hub;
• and
• automatically determining and indicating the one of the first tiles, comprising the boarding area, using data on a server computer coupled to the mobile device, the data comprising information on the boarding area associated with a transport route serving a destination from the transit hub.