CA2904793A1

CA2904793A1 - Method of and system for providing travel information on a handlebar

Info

Publication number: CA2904793A1
Application number: CA2904793A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Gabriel Alberola; Olivier Bourbonnais; Maxime Couturier; Xavier Peich
Original assignee: Les Solutions Cyclelabs Inc
Current assignee: Les Solutions Cyclelabs Inc
Priority date: 2015-09-18
Filing date: 2015-09-18
Publication date: 2017-03-18
Also published as: CA2911003C; CA2911003A1

Abstract

There is disclosed a method for providing travel information to a driver. The method can be executable by a device comprising a halo-shaped display installed on a handlebar of a vehicle. The method comprises: receiving, from an electronic device, a trajectory instruction, the trajectory instruction being indicative of a navigational instruction;
processing the trajectory instructions to generate data associated with visual signal indications; and, displaying, the visual signal indications based on the data on the halo-shaped display, the displaying being indicative of actions to be taken by the driver operating the vehicle.

Description

METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TRAVEL INFORMATION ON
A HANDLEBAR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[1]. The present technology relates to the field of navigation systems. More specifically, the present technology disclose a method and system for providing travel information on a handlebar of a vehicle, in particular a single-track vehicle, such as, but not limited to, a bicycle.
BACKGROUND

[2].With the growth of eco-friendly trend in the means of transportation, the use of single-track vehicle as a mean of travelling between two points have increased in recent years. This trend can be noticed even more in large urban cities.

[3].Moreover, with the advance in technology, it is easier for drivers to verify their trajectory by accessing devices, such as smartphones, to verify their trajectory when travelling. Needless to say, the use of the hands being crucial in directing the single-track vehicle, one must stop whenever desiring to interact with the smartphone to, for example, verify the trajectory.

[4].It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art.
SUMMARY

[5]. The present invention comprises an device installed on a handlebar of a single-track vehicle. The driver inputs his or her destination into a mobile application which is synchronized with the device. The device comprises a halo-shaped display which provides direction information to the driver.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[6].Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic diagram of a system 100, the system 100 being suitable for implementing non-limiting embodiments of the present 7586682.1 technology. It is to be expressly understood that the system 100 is depicted merely as an illustrative implementation of the present technology.

[7].This description is not intended to define the scope or set forth the bounds of the present technology. In some cases, what are believed to be helpful examples of modifications to the system 100 may also be set forth below. This is done merely as an aid to understanding, and, again, not to define the scope or set forth the bounds of the present technology. These modifications are not an exhaustive list, and, as a person skilled in the art would understand, other modifications are likely possible.
Further, where this has not been done (i.e. where no examples of modifications have been set forth), it should not be interpreted that no modifications are possible and/or that what is described is the sole manner of implementing that element of the present technology. As a person skilled in the art would understand, this is likely not the case.
In addition, it is to be understood that the system 100 may provide in certain instances simple implementations of the present technology, and that where such is the case they have been presented in this manner as an aid to understanding. As persons skilled in the art would understand, various implementations of the present technology may be of a greater complexity.

[8]. The system 100 comprises a single-track vehicle device 102. As it will be described in more detail below, suffice to say for now that the single-track vehicle device 102 is an apparatus designed to be installed on a handlebar of a single-track vehicle, and is directed to providing routing instructions visually to the user operating the single-track vehicle device using a halo-shape display 504. Even though reference is made to a handlebar, it should be understood that the single-track vehicle device 102 may be installed on other parts of the vehicle such as a frame of the vehicle.
Although the single-track vehicle device 102 is depicted as being circular, it is not limited as such.

[9]. The manner in which the halo-shaped display is implemented is not limited, and may comprise of a halo-shaped light-emitting diode (LED) capable of emitting a plurality of colors. In some non-limiting embodiment, the LEDs are dispersed so as to form a circle or a portion of circle suitable for displaying circular visual indications to the user operating the vehicle. In some non limiting embodiment, the halo-shape display 504 may comprise a set of LED individually controllable. In some non-limiting 7586682.1 embodiments, the single-track vehicle device also comprises of a button 510 situated at the center of the halo-shape display 504, a front light 506 (depicted in Fig. 5), as well as a speaker 508 (depicted in Fig. 5).

[10]. The single-track vehicle device is coupled to the electronic device via a communication link 106. The electronic device 108 is typically associated with a user (not depicted) and, as such, can sometimes be referred to as a "client device". It should be noted that the fact that the electronic device 108 is associated with the user does not mean to suggest or imply any mode of operation ¨ such as a need to log in, a need to be registered or the like.

[11]. In the context of the present specification, unless provided expressly otherwise, "electronic device" is any computer hardware that is capable of running software appropriate to the relevant task at hand. Thus, some (non-limiting) examples of electronic devices include personal computers (desktops, laptops, netbooks, etc.), smartphones, and tablets. It should be noted that a device acting as an electronic device in the present context is not precluded from acting as a server to other electronic devices. The use of the expression "an electronic device" does not preclude multiple client devices being used in receiving/sending, carrying out or causing to be carried out any task or request, or the consequences of any task or request, or steps of any method described herein.

[12]. The electronic device 108 comprises hardware and/or software and/or firmware (or a combination thereof), as is known in the art, to execute a mobile application 110.
Generally speaking, the purpose of the mobile application 110 is a computer program designed to run on the electronic device 108. As it will be described in more precision below, suffice to say for now that the mobile application 108 's software may or may not have been previously installed on the electronic device 108. Briefly speaking, in the latter case, the user of the electronic device 108 can access via the communication network 104, the online store 112 to download and install the online mobile application 114. In one embodiment, the mobile application 110 is an application provided from Les Solutions CycleLabs Inc.

[13]. In a non-limiting embodiment, the mobile application 110 is a route planning software designed to plan a route between two geographical points. The manner in 7586682.1 which the route planning software is implemented is well known to a person skilled in the art and will not be described further herein. Suffice to say that the mobile application 110 running on the mobile device 108 is configured to receive inputs from the user (not depicted) operating the electronic device 108, the input being indicative of the geographical locations (i.e. starting point and destination point).

[14]. How the communication link 106 is implemented is not particularly limited and will depend on how the single-track vehicle device 102 is implemented. Merely as an example and not as a limitation, in those embodiments of the present technology where the single-track vehicle device 102 is implemented as a wireless communication device, the communication link 106 can be implemented as a wireless communication link such as but not limited to Bluetoothe, and can include a 3G

communications network link, a 4G communications network link, a Wireless Fidelity, or WiFi0, for short, Bluetootht, or the like.

[15]. It should be expressly understood that implementations for the single-track vehicle device 102, and the communication link 106 are provided for illustration purposes only. As such, those skilled in the art will easily appreciate other specific implementational details for the single-track vehicle device 102. As such, by no means examples provided herein above are meant to limit the scope of the present technology.

[16]. Generally speaking, in order for the single-track vehicle device 102 to be successively coupled to the electronic device 108 (comprising the mobile application 110), the single-track vehicle device 102 must be registered with the electronic device 108. As such, each of the single-track vehicle device 102 and the electronic device 108 comprises a registration module (depicted in Fig. 3 and 2 respectively as sync module 222 and sync module 312). The manner in which the registration is made is generally known in the art and will not be described much. As such, just as an example, a unique serial number of the single-track vehicle device 102 could be used as a registration key which is to be inputted in the mobile application 110.
Once the registration is over, synchronization of the single-track vehicle device 102 and the electronic device 108 occurs whenever a communication link 106, such as, but not limited to Bluetooth0, is established between them.

7586682.1

[17]. The electronic device 108 is coupled to the communication network 104 via a dedicated link (not depicted). How the dedicated link is implemented is not limited, and may be implemented in a similar manner to the communication link 106. In some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the communication network can be implemented as the Internet. In other embodiments of the present technology, the communications network 104 can be implemented differently, such as any wide-area communications network, local-area communications network, a private communications network and the like.

[18]. Also coupled to the communications network 116 is a server 116. In some embodiments of the present technology, the server 116 can be implemented as a conventional computer server. In an example of an embodiment of the present technology, the server 116 can be implemented as a De11TM PowerEdgeTM Server running the MicrosofiTM Windows ServerTM operating system. Needless to say, the server 116 can be implemented in any other suitable hardware and/or software and/or firmware or a combination thereof. In the depicted non-limiting embodiment of present technology, the server 116 is a single server. In alternative non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the functionality of the server 116may be distributed and may be implemented via multiple servers (not depicted).

[19]. The implementation of the server 116 is well known. However, briefly speaking, the server 116 comprises a communication interface (not depicted) structured and configured to communicate with various entities (such as the electronic device 108, for example and other devices potentially coupled to the communications network 104) via the communications network 104. The server 116 further comprises at least one computer processor (not depicted) operationally connected with the communication interface and structured and configured to execute various processes to be described herein.

[20]. Within some embodiments, the server 116 can access a web service 118 and a web service 120. Generally speaking, the web services 118 and 120 are applications executed by or via the server 116, which application is geared towards addressing one or more of user's needs or problems. For example, a map service, being an example 7586682.1 of the web service 118, is geared to solving a user problem of determining a particular route from Point A to Point B. In some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the electronic device 108 accesses the web service 108 by inputting the starting point and the destination point in the mobile application 110 running on the electronic device 108. In another example, a meteorological service, being an example of the web service 120, is geared to providing the user with meteorological data to the electronic device 108, the data being indicative of meteorological data of the area around the starting and finishing point, upon receiving the purported trajectory.

[21]. In some embodiments, the server 116 may comprise of an API library 122 which provides a library of API functions provided by the web services 118 and 120.
For example, provided that the web service 118 corresponds to Google MapTM, the electronic device 108 can access the API library 122 to retrieve the Google MapTM
API and process the optimal route for the inputted points within the electronic device 108.

[22]. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary architecture 200 of the electronic device 108 capable of running the mobile application 110. In some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the user of the electronic device 108 initiates the mobile application 110 by selecting the mobile application 110 on a display interface 214, and inputs data indicative of a starting point and a finish point. For example, the user may enter (Montreal, Quebec) as the starting point, and (Brossard, Quebec) as the finish point. In some non-limiting embodiments the electronic device 108 comprises a GPS module 220 which contains data indicative of the geolocation of the electronic device 108. As such, the GPS module 220 may give the user the choice of selecting the current location of the electronic device 108 as the starting point, or alternatively the finish point.

[23]. The inputted data, as well as the geolocation of the electronic device 108 from the GPS module 220, are transmitted to the running mobile application 110, and transmitted in a data packet 211 to the server 116 using a communication module 202.

[24]. Upon determining a route by the server 116 via the web service 118, the server transmits a data packet 212 to the mobile application 110 via the communication 7586682.1 module 202, the data packet 212 containing data indicative of a proposed route for travelling from Montreal, Quebec to Brossard, Quebec, using a single-tracked vehicle, such as a bicycle. In some non-limiting embodiments, the data packet 212 may contain a plurality of potential route to be displayed on the display interface 214 of the electronic device, thereby providing the user with a choice of selecting the route.

[25]. Alternatively, the electronic device 108 can retrieve from the API
library, for example, the Google MapTM API, and process the optimal route for the inputted points.

[26]. In some non-limiting embodiments, the server 116 can also be configured to retrieve meteorological data in the area around the electrical device 108 from the web service 120, to include it within the data packet 212. For example, upon determining by the server 116 that the user has requested a route from Montreal, Quebec to Brossard, Quebec at 17:30, the data packet 122 may include for example, data indicative of the time of the sunset, retrieved from the web service 120. In a further example, the server may include in the data packet 122 for example, data indicative of meteorological factors that may affect the vision of the user operating the single-track vehicle, such as, but not limited to rain and/or fog.

[27]. Upon approval, or selection of the proposed route by the user (such approval or selection being made using the display interface 214), the mobile application instantiate the selected trajectory route. In some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the GPS module 220 continuously feed data indicative of the geolocation of the electronic device 108 to the mobile application 110, allowing the mobile application 110 to incrementally update the trajectory information provided to the user in real-time.

[28]. In another embodiment, the mobile application may allow the user to set objective parameters, such as the target calories burned, or target speed, or desired time frame to complete the trajectory.

[29]. In some non-limiting embodiments, the architecture 200 comprises a memory 216 which stores data provided by the mobile application 110. The memory 216 stores previous and/or current routing information. More precisely, the memory 216 stores 7586682.1 data for each synchronized sessions between the registered electronic device 108 and the single-track vehicle device 102.

[30]. For example, the memory 216 may contain information about the previous and/or current routes' starting points and finish points. Moreover, the memory 216 may contain user data associated with the previous and/or current routes. For example, the memory may store the average speed of the single-tracked vehicle for the totality of the trip, the average speed at segmented portions of the route, the distance, the amount of burned calories. In further non-limiting embodiments, the data stored in the memory 216 may be accessed by the user operating the mobile application 110, and/or shared on social web platform (such as FacebookTm). By storing the last point of synchronized session, the electronic device 108 allows the user to locate his or her parked single-track vehicle.

[31]. In a further non-limiting embodiment, the architecture 200 comprises a communication application 208. Generally speaking, the communication application 208 comprises of any types of application directed to communicating with another electronic device. For example, and not as a limitation, the communication application can be an instant messaging software application such as MessagesTM
operated by AppleTM or a telephone software application.

[32]. In another non-limiting embodiment, the mobile application 110 is configured to transmit, via the communication module 202, a data packet 218 to the single-track vehicle device 102. The data packet 218 comprises data indicative of the routes to be taken by the user in arriving at the destination point. Alternatively, or in combination, the data packet 211 comprises an indication of a receiving call or a message directed to the communication application 208.

[33]. In another embodiment, the data packet 218 also comprises of the objective parameters inputted by the user.

[34]. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary architecture 300 of the single-track vehicle device 102. The single-track vehicle device 102 comprises a communication module 302. The communication module 302 receives the data packet 218 from the mobile application 110 via the communication module 202. Upon receiving the data packet 218, the communication module 302 transmits it to the processor 304.
The 7586682.1 processor 304 processes the data packet 218 to convert the data contained therein to different readable instructions for each of the function modules 316 (comprising of a display module 306, a speaker module 308, and light module 310).

[35]. For example, the processor 304 processes the data packet 218 to convert the data contained therein as instructions readable by the display module 306 for the route instructions and objective parameters. In some embodiments, the display module controls the display of signal indications on the halo-shaped display 504.

[36]. For example, the processor 304 processes the data packet 218 to convert the data contained therein as instructions readable by a speaker module 308. The speaker module 308 can be implemented to receive the audio data and emit each route instructions vocally to the user.

[37]. For example, the processor 304 processes the data packet 218 to convert the data contained therein as instructions readable by the light module 310 to light up the light 506 (described below).

[38]. In some non-limiting embodiments, the data packet 218 already comprises data instructions readable for each of the function modules 316 when processed by the processor 204 of the electronic device 108. In such case, the processor 304 acts as a parser of the different type of instructions to each of the function modules 316.

[39]. Fig. 4 is an illustration of the various exemplary visual signals that may be displayed to the user by the halo-shaped display 504. It is to be expressly understood that the visual signals displayed in Fig. 4 are exemplary, and although there are only 11 visual signals illustrated, it is not limited as such.

[40]. Block diagram 402 illustrates an exemplary visual signal indicating the user that the single-track vehicle device is ready for use. In other words, the single-track vehicle device 102 is synchronized with the electronic device 108 and has received the routing information (via data packet 218). As it can be seen, the center circle (i.e.
button 510) emits a white light, whereas the outer circle 424 emits a green light.

[41]. Block diagram 404 illustrates an exemplary visual signal indicating the user to turn right. In some embodiments, the half circle 426 emits a green light.

7586682.1

[42]. Block diagram 406 illustrates an exemplary visual signal indicating the user to perform a sharp right turn. In some embodiments, the quarter circle 428 emits a green light.

[43]. Block diagram 408 illustrates an exemplary visual signal indicating the user to perform a light right turn. In some embodiments, the quarter circle 430 emits a green light.

[44]. Block diagram 410 illustrates an exemplary visual signal indicating the user to go straight. In some embodiments, the half circle 432 emits a green light.

[45]. Block diagram 412 illustrates an exemplary visual signal indicating a special requirement (for example, taking a ferry). In some embodiments, the button 510 emits a yellow light.

[46]. Block diagram 414 illustrates an exemplary visual signal indicating the user to perform a U-turn. In some embodiments, the half circle 436 emits a red light.

[47]. Block diagram 416 illustrates an exemplary visual signal indicating the user that he or she has arrived to the destination. In some embodiments, the button 438 emits a green light.

[48]. Block diagram 418 illustrates an exemplary visual signal indicating the user that there will be a turn (in this case a right turn) in less than 50 meters. In some embodiments the half circle 440 emits a yellow light.

[49]. Block diagram 420 illustrates an exemplary visual signal indicating how the user is achieving that he has inputted. In some embodiments, this is done by filling the halo-shape display 504 in proportion to the percentage of the achieved objective. For example, if the user has set an objective of, for example, burning 100 Kcal and has achieved 50Kcal, or achieve a constant speed of 50km/hr and has achieved a constant speed of 25km/hr, the halo-shape display 504 will be half filled with green light.

[50]. Block diagram 422 illustrates an exemplary visual signal indicating the user that he or she received a call or a message on the communication application 208.
In some embodiments, this is done by a green light emitting on the center of the halo-shape display 504 (i.e. the button 510).

[51]. Again, it is to be expressly understood that the illustrations provided in Fig. 4 are for exemplary purposes only, and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the 7586682.1 present technology. As such, alternative embodiments may include emitting the light in an intermittent fashion for certain indication requiring user attention.
Furthermore, the use of green, yellow, red lights are non-limitative and other combinations are also possible.

[52]. Further example of other embodiments may include a visual signal indicative of proximity between the single-track vehicle 102 and the electronic device 108 in response to the automatic synchronization between the single-track vehicle device 102 with the electronic device 108

[53]. Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the present technology in an assembled state. More precisely, Fig. 5 depicts a single-track vehicle device 102 installed on a handlebar 502 of a single-track vehicle.

[54]. The manner in which the single-track vehicle device 102 is installed to the handlebar 502 is not limited, and may be, for example, by installing a support board (not depicted) on the handlebar, and then installing the single-track vehicle device 102 on the support board. In a non-limiting embodiment, the installation of the of the single-track vehicle device 102 to the handlebar 502 may be done using specially designated screws, further requiring a unique key to unlock and separate the single-track vehicle device 102 from the handlebar 502.

[55]. Also depicted in Fig. 5 are the electronic device 108, the mobile application 110, and the data packet 218. It will be remembered that the data packet 218 may contain at least one of five types of data: i) route instruction data; ii) audio data;
iii) meteorological data, iv) an indication of a receiving call or a message directed to the communication application 208; and v) the objective set by the user. It will be remembered as well that each of the data type contained in the data packet 218 may have an outcome function on the single-track vehicle device 102.

[56]. As such, the route instruction data, as well as the indication of a receiving call or message and the objective, once processed by the processor 304, are transmitted to the user visually on the halo-shape display 504, in the manner, for example, as set forth in Fig. 4. Furthermore, the audio data, containing audio data associated with the route instructions are transmitted audibly to the user via the speaker 508. In some non-limiting embodiment, the data indicative of the receiving call or message may 7586682.1 also trigger the speaker 508 to provide an alarm sound to the user. Lastly, the meteorological data contain instructions for the processor 304 to trigger the light module 310. For example, if the user has started a route using the mobile application from Montreal, Quebec, to Brossard, Quebec at 17:00, and it is determined that the sunset is to occur at 17:15, the processor 304 will instruct the light module 310 for the front light 506 to lighten up at the predefined time 17:15. Alternatively, if the user has started a route using the mobile application from Montreal, Quebec, to Brossard, Quebec at 5:00, and it is determined that the sunrise occur at 5:15, the processor 304 will instruct the light module 310 for the front light 506 to lighten up right away and close the light at the predefined time 5:15.

[57]. In some non-limiting embodiments of the present technology, the user can interact with the button 510 to change the content displayed on the halo-shape display 504.
For example, by interacting with the button 510, the user can switch between the halo-shape display 504 displaying the route instructions (for example, blocks 404 to 418 of Figure 4) and the objective parameters (for example, block 420). Some content displayed on the halo-shape display does not require an interaction with the button 510, such as the indication, by the halo-shape display 504 of the receiving call or message by the electronic device 108.

7586682.1

Claims

1. A method of providing travel information to a driver, the method being executable by a device comprising a halo-shaped display to be installed on a handlebar of a vehicle, the method comprising:
.cndot. receiving, from an electronic device, a trajectory instruction, the trajectory instruction being indicative of a navigational instruction;
.cndot. processing the trajectory instructions to generate data associated with visual signal indications; and, .cndot. displaying, the visual signal indications based on the data on the halo-shaped display, the displaying being indicative of actions to be taken by the driver operating the vehicle.

2. A device comprising a halo-shaped display to be installed on a handlebar of a vehicle comprising a processor, the processor configured to:
.cndot. receive, from an electronic device, a trajectory instruction, the trajectory instruction being indicative of a navigational instruction;
.cndot. process the trajectory instructions to generate data associated with visual signal indications; and, .cndot. display, the visual signal indications based on the data on the halo-shaped display, the displaying being indicative of actions to be taken by the driver operating the vehicle.