System and method for providing directions haptically

• US 9,829,338 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2015
• Issued: 11/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ryan Thomas Ward
• Original Assignee: Ryan Thomas Ward
• Inventors: Ward, Ryan Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M
• Application Number:
  US14/948,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20170146358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 738 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2025/003 Accessories not covered by groups A45B25/24 - A45B25/30
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1018 with illuminating devices, e.g. electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1027 with means for generating solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1036 with means for promoting air movement, e.g. ventilation holes, fans, ventilators, special shape for ventilation, suction means
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1045 with a misting device having at least one nozzle for spraying a fluid, e.g. water
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1063 with tables
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/00 Details of umbrellas sticks for umbrellas A45B1/00 - A45B9/00; illuminating devices for umbrellas A45B3/02; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/14 Devices for opening and for closing umbrellas
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/143 automatic
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3652 Guidance using non-audiovisual output, e.g. tactile, haptic or electric stimuli
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for providing directions haptically such that sight and hearing can continue unimpeded. In one exemplary embodiment, a system configured as disclosed herein receives directions to an intended destination for a user, the directions comprising a movement action and a distance to the movement action. The system generates, via a processor, a left signal component and a right signal component based on the directions. The system transmits the left signal component to a left haptic output unit and transmits the right signal component to a right haptic output unit, such that the directions are communicated to the user via the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving directions to an intended destination for a user, the directions comprising a movement action and a distance to the movement action;

generating, via a processor, a left signal component based on the directions;

generating, via the processor, a right signal component based on the directions;

transmitting the left signal component to a left haptic output unit; and

transmitting the right signal component to a right haptic output unit, such that the directions are communicated to the user via the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit, wherein as the distance to the movement action decreases, a duration of output generated by at least one of the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit increases.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit are part of a vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the vehicle is a motorcycle.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

identifying a current vibration of the vehicle comprising a vibration strength;

wherein the generating of the left signal component is further based on the vibration strength; and

wherein the generating of the right signal component is further based on the vibration strength.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

identifying a current vibration of the vehicle comprising a vibration frequency;

wherein the generating of the left signal component is further based on the vibration frequency; and

wherein the generating of the right signal component is further based on the vibration frequency.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting of the left signal component and the transmitting of the right signal component occurs via a Bluetooth connection.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit are built into handle bars.

8. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored which, when executed by the processor, result in the processor performing operations comprising;

receiving directions to an intended destination for a user, the directions comprising a movement action and a distance to the movement action;

generating a left signal component based on the directions;

generating a right signal component based on the directions;

transmitting the left signal component to a left haptic output unit; and

transmitting the right signal component to a right haptic output unit, such that the directions are communicated to the user via the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit, wherein as the distance to the movement action decreases, a duration of output generated by at least one of the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit increases.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit are part of a vehicle.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the vehicle is a motorcycle.

11. The system of claim 9, the computer-readable storage medium having additional instructions stored which, when executed by the processor, result in operations comprising:

identifying a current vibration of the vehicle comprising a vibration strength;

wherein the generating of the left signal component is further based on the vibration strength; and

wherein the generating of the right signal component is further based on the vibration strength.

12. The system of claim 9, the computer-readable storage medium having additional instructions stored which, when executed by the processor, result in operations comprising:

identifying a current vibration of the vehicle comprising a vibration frequency;

wherein the generating of the left signal component is further based on the vibration frequency; and

wherein the generating of the right signal component is further based on the vibration frequency.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein as the distance to the movement action decreases, and in addition to an increase in duration of output, a strength of output generated by at least one of the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit increases.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the transmitting of the left signal component and the transmitting of the right signal component occurs via a Bluetooth connection.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein as the distance to the movement action decreases, an output generated by at least one of the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit changes from three short duration bursts, to two medium duration bursts, and finally a long unbroken duration lasting until one of the movement action occurring and receiving additional directions.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage device having instructions stored which, when executed by a computing device, result in the computing device performing operations comprising:

receiving directions to an intended destination for a user, the directions comprising a movement action and a distance to the movement action;

generating a left signal component based on the directions;

generating a right signal component based on the directions;

transmitting the left signal component to a left haptic output unit; and

transmitting the right signal component to a right haptic output unit, such that the directions are communicated to the user via the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit, wherein as the distance to the movement action decreases, a duration of output generated by at least one of the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit increases.

17. A method comprising:

receiving directions to an intended destination for a user, the directions comprising a movement action and a distance to the movement action;

generating, via a processor, a left signal component based on the directions;

generating, via the processor, a right signal component based on the directions;

transmitting the left signal component to a left haptic output unit; and

transmitting the right signal component to a right haptic output unit, such that the directions are communicated to the user via the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit, wherein as the distance to the movement action decreases, a pulse duration generated by at least one of the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit varies.

18. A method comprising:

receiving directions to an intended destination for a user, the directions comprising a movement action and a distance to the movement action;

generating, via a processor, a left signal component based on the directions;

generating, via the processor, a right signal component based on the directions;

transmitting the left signal component to a left haptic output unit; and

transmitting the right signal component to a right haptic output unit, such that the directions are communicated to the user via the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit, wherein as the distance to the distance to the movement action decreases, an output generated by at least one of the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit changes from three short duration bursts, to two medium duration bursts, and finally a long unbroken duration lasting until one of the movement action occurring and receiving additional directions.

19. A method comprising:

receiving directions to an intended destination for a user, the directions comprising a movement action and a distance to the movement action;

identifying a current vibration of a vehicle, the current vibration comprising a vibration strength;

generating, via a processor, a left signal component based on the directions and the vibration strength;

generating, via the processor, a right signal component based on the directions and the vibration strength;

transmitting the left signal component to a left haptic output unit; and

transmitting the right signal component to a right haptic output unit, such that the directions are communicated to the user via the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit, wherein the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit are part of the vehicle.

20. A method comprising:

receiving directions to an intended destination for a user, the directions comprising a movement action and a distance to the movement action;

identifying a current vibration of a vehicle, the current vibration comprising a vibration frequency;

generating, via a processor, a left signal component based on the directions and the vibration frequency;

generating, via the processor, a right signal component based on the directions and the vibration frequency;

transmitting the left signal component to a left haptic output unit; and

transmitting the right signal component to a right haptic output unit, such that the directions are communicated to the user via the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit, wherein the left haptic output unit and the right haptic output unit are part of the vehicle.