Haptic Feedback Enabled Navigation System Using Short Range Radio Technologies

• US 20140142851A1
• Filed: 11/21/2012
• Published: 05/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: LARMO, Anna, KERANEN, Ari, SUSITAIVAL, Riikka, LI, Daoyuan
• Granted Patent: US 8,838,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/538
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3652 Guidance using non-audiovisual output, e.g. tactile, haptic or electric stimuli
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]

Abstract

The invention relates to a haptic navigation system, configured for providing a haptic instruction to a user, and to a method for providing a haptic instruction to a user. The haptic navigation system comprises a navigation module comprising a route calculation unit, configured for calculating at least one route for the user to go to a predetermined destination, and a user interaction unit, configured for capturing at least one input parameter from the user, and a feedback unit configured for receiving an instruction sent from the navigation module and for converting the instruction received into a haptic instruction such that the user find the correct route. In this way, a haptic navigation system is provided which is reliable, cost-effective to realize and can easily be integrated into existing navigation systems while at the same time making it possible to get rid of displays or voice recognition in navigation applications.

Claims

1. A haptic navigation system, configured for providing a haptic instruction to a user, comprising:

a navigation module comprising a route calculation unit, configured for calculating at least one route for the user to go to a predetermined destination, and a user interaction unit, configured for capturing at least one input parameter from the user, and

a feedback unit configured for receiving an instruction sent from the navigation module and for converting the instruction received into a haptic instruction such that the user finds the correct route.

2. The haptic navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the haptic instruction comprises a vibration signal that is sent in a direction towards the user such that the user is directed to the correct route.

3. The haptic navigation system according to claim 2, wherein the vibration signal is configured for vibrating with a predetermined magnitude and/or in a predetermined pattern.

4. The haptic navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback unit is configured for sending the haptic instruction to clothes, such as gloves, a hat, a helmet, a pullover, a scarf and/or a shoe, wearable on at least one part of the body of the user, such as at a hand, head, stomach, neck and/or a foot.

5. The haptic navigation system according to claim 1, further comprising a signalling unit configured for displaying a direction and/or a turn to the user, such as displaying an arrow indicating the direction to the user.

6. The haptic navigation system according to claim 1, further comprising a sound generator configured for broadcasting a voice signal configured for instructing the user to select a correct direction to go to the predetermined destination.

7. The haptic navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the feedback unit is integrated into a wristband, a neckband, a bandage, a steering wheel of a car, into a part of a motorcycle, into a part of a bicycle, into a part of a ski, into clothes, such as gloves, into a hat, a helmet, into a pullover, into a scarf and/or into a shoe.

8. A method for providing a haptic instruction to a user, comprising the steps of:

a) capturing at least one input parameter from the user,

b) calculating at least one route for the user based on the at least one input parameter captured to go to a predetermined destination and sending the at least one route calculated as an instruction, and

c) converting the instruction received into a haptic instruction such that the user finds the correct route.

9. A haptic navigation system, comprising:

a route calculation unit configured for calculating a route for a user; and

a feedback unit configured for receiving an instruction and for converting the instruction received into a haptic instruction that directs the user along the route.