Touch-based exploration of maps for screen reader users

A mobile electronic device comprising:

• a touchscreen, touch pad, or computer mouse configured to receive inputs from a user;
• an output component configured to provide outputs to the user;
• a processor coupled to the touchscreen and the output component;
• and
• a computer-readable storage medium containing program instructions, that,
• when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute a method comprising:
• accessing a map, the map including a set of paths;
• receiving, via the touchscreen, touch pad, or computer mouse, an input from the user;
• determining an input-space point within an input space corresponding to the input;
• associating the input-space point with a geographic location identified by the map;
• receiving, via the touchscreen, touch pad, or computer mouse of the electronic device, an input trajectory from the user that is initiated at the input-space point;
• and
• providing, via the output component of the electronic device, non-visual output that characterizes a degree to which the input trajectory tracks a path of the set of paths, wherein the non-visual output indicates whether the input trajectory is veering off of the path, the path being associated with a previous input.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the following operations:

• accessing a map, the map including a set of paths;
• receiving, via a touchscreen, touch pad, or computer mouse of an electronic device, an input from the user;
• determining an input-space point within an input space corresponding to the input;
• associating the input-space point with a geographic location identified by the map;
• receiving, via the touchscreen, touch pad, or computer mouse of the electronic device, an input trajectory from the user that is initiated at the input-space point;
• and
• providing, via an output component of the electronic device, non-visual output that characterizes a degree to which the input trajectory tracks a path of the set of paths, wherein the non-visual output indicates whether the input trajectory is veering off of the path, the path being associated with a previous input.