PORTABLE COMPUTING WITH GEOSPATIAL HAPTIC COMPASS
First Claim
1. A portable navigation device, comprising:
- a handheld casing to be pointed in a direction by a user;
a computer processor disposed within the handheld casing;
a user input element in communication with the processor to receive a user input;
an orientation determination component disposed within the handheld casing to determine a current geospatial pointing orientation of the casing of the portable navigation device; and
a haptic actuator affixed to the handheld casing of the portable navigation device to provide tactile feedback to the user in response to user manipulation of the handheld casing and user interaction with the user input element, wherein a tactile feedback sensation is imparted when the current geospatial pointing orientation of the handheld casing is made to substantially correspond with at least one target geospatial pointing orientation within the physical world.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable navigation device and associated methods are provided for enabling users to find geospatial orientations within the real physical world using their tactile senses. In one embodiment the portable navigation device acts as a geospatial compass, enabling users to find cardinal directions such as North in response to processor controlled tactile feedback sensations provided with respect to geospatial orientation sensor readings. In another embodiment the portable navigation device acts as a geospatial trajectory assisting device, enabling users to find travel direction indicated by a preplanned route or map in response to processor controlled tactile feedback sensations provided with respect to geospatial orientation sensor readings. In this way a user may perform a manual scanning operation wherein they manipulate the portable navigation device through a range of physical orientations and find a desired geospatial target orientation based upon their sense of touch.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A portable navigation device, comprising:
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a handheld casing to be pointed in a direction by a user;
a computer processor disposed within the handheld casing;
a user input element in communication with the processor to receive a user input;
an orientation determination component disposed within the handheld casing to determine a current geospatial pointing orientation of the casing of the portable navigation device; and
a haptic actuator affixed to the handheld casing of the portable navigation device to provide tactile feedback to the user in response to user manipulation of the handheld casing and user interaction with the user input element, wherein a tactile feedback sensation is imparted when the current geospatial pointing orientation of the handheld casing is made to substantially correspond with at least one target geospatial pointing orientation within the physical world. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of providing a tactile portable navigation device comprising:
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providing a handheld casing to be pointed in a direction by a user;
providing a computer processor disposed within the handheld casing;
providing a user input element in communication with the processor to receive a user input;
providing a haptic actuator connected to the processor to impart tactile feedback to the user under selective processor control;
repeatedly determining a current geospatial pointing orientation of the casing of the portable navigation device using an orientation determination component disposed within the handheld casing; and
imparting tactile feedback to the user of the portable navigation device in response to changes in the geospatial pointing orientation of the handheld casing, wherein a tactile feedback sensation is imparted in response to a pointing orientation of the handheld casing being made to substantially correspond to at least one target geospatial pointing orientation within the physical world. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A portable navigation device, comprising
a handheld casing to be pointed in a direction by a user; -
a processor disposed within the handheld casing;
a memory coupled to the processor containing values representing at least one target geospatial pointing orientation within the real physical world;
an orientation determination component disposed within the handheld casing to determine a current geospatial pointing orientation of the casing of the portable navigation device; and
a haptic actuator affixed to the handheld casing of the portable navigation device to provide tactile feedback to the user in response to user manipulation of the handheld casing, wherein a tactile feedback sensation is imparted under processor control in response to the pointing orientation of the handheld casing being made to substantially correspond to a target geospatial pointing orientation stored in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification