METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR USE IN INDICATING DIRECTIONS FOR DIRECTION FINDING SYSTEMS

• US 20150168152A1
• Filed: 01/20/2015
• Published: 06/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Stensland, Benjamin Alan, McClelland, David Mark, Mace, Kevin Luke
• Granted Patent: US 10,378,898 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 21/22 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/00 Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received position-fixing by co-ordinating a plurality of determinations of direction or position lines G01S5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/12 by co-ordinating position lines of different shape, e.g. hyperbolic, circular, elliptical or radial
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip

Abstract

An article is worn by a user. A plurality of indicating devices are coupled to the article. A processing unit is communicatively coupled to the plurality of indicating devices. The processing unit selectively actuates at least one indicating device of the plurality of indicating devices based on positional data.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A method for indicating a direction, said method comprising:

coupling a plurality of indicating devices to a user device configured to be worn by a user;

coupling a processor to the plurality of indicating devices;

configuring the processor to;

determine orientation data regarding an orientation of the user;

transmit the orientation data to a control system that is remote from the user for determining a condition of the user;

receive positional data from the control system; and

selectively actuate at least one indicating device of the plurality of indicating devices based on the positional data.

22. A method in accordance with claim 21, further comprising configuring the processor to determine the orientation data by determining a body orientation relative to a horizontal or vertical axis.

23. A method in accordance with claim 21, further comprising configuring the processor to determine the orientation data by determining an orientation relative to a direction the user is facing.

24. A method in accordance with claim 21, further comprising configuring the processor to determine the orientation data by determining whether the user is standing, sitting, crouching, crawling, or lying down.

25. A method in accordance with claim 21, further comprising configuring the processor to selectively actuate the at least one indicating device based on the remote control system identifying the user device as an active tracking device using at least the orientation data.

26. A method in accordance with claim 21, further comprising configuring the processor to actuate the at least one indicating device in a pattern to indicate an uncertainty of a target location.

27. A method in accordance with claim 26, further comprising configuring the processor to actuate the at least one indicating device to indicate uncertainty in three-dimensional space.

28. A method in accordance with claim 21, further comprising configuring the processor to selectively actuate the at least one indicating device more frequently as the at least one indicating device is moved closer to a target location.

29. A method in accordance with claim 21, further comprising configuring the processor to selectively actuate the at least one indicating device based on the user orientation data.

30. A method in accordance with claim 21, further comprising configuring the processor to generate at least one of a tactile signal and an auditory signal using at least one of the plurality of indicating devices.

31. A system for indicating direction, said system comprising:

a user device configured to be worn by a user;

a plurality of indicating devices coupled to said user device; and

a processor communicatively coupled to said plurality of indicating devices, wherein said processor is programmed to;

determine orientation data regarding an orientation of the user;

transmit the orientation data to a control system that is remote from the user for determining a condition of the user;

receive positional data from the control system; and

selectively actuate at least one indicating device of said plurality of indicating devices based on the positional data.

32. A system in accordance with claim 31, wherein said processor is further programmed to determine the orientation data by determining a body orientation relative to a horizontal or vertical axis.

33. A system in accordance with claim 31, wherein said processor is further programmed to determine the orientation data by determining an orientation relative to a direction the user is facing.

34. A system in accordance with claim 31, wherein said processor is further programmed to determine the orientation data by determining whether the user is standing, sitting, crouching, crawling, or lying down.

35. A system in accordance with claim 31, wherein said processor is further programmed to selectively actuate the at least one indicating device based on the remote control system identifying said user device as an active tracking device using at least the orientation data.

36. A system in accordance with claim 31, wherein said processor is further programmed to selectively actuate the at least one indicating device by selectively actuating in a pattern to indicate an uncertainty of a target location.

37. A system in accordance with claim 36, wherein said processor is further programmed to selectively actuate in a pattern to indicate an uncertainty of a target location by actuating said at least one indicating device to indicate uncertainty in three-dimensional space.

38. A system in accordance with claim 31, wherein said processor is further programmed to selectively actuate the at least one indicating device by actuating more frequently as said at least one indicating device is moved closer to a target location.

39. A system in accordance with claim 31, wherein said processor is further programmed to selectively actuate the at least one indicating device based on the user orientation data.

40. A system in accordance with claim 31, wherein said processor is further programmed to generate at least one of a tactile signal and an auditory signal using at least one of said plurality of indicating devices.