RU170321U1 - User Orientation Device - Google Patents

Abstract

The claimed utility model relates to orienting people in space using a satellite navigation system. The utility model is intended for use by people with visual impairments, it is also applicable for people with normal vision in situations where it is impossible or undesirable to be distracted from tracking the road, switching attention to tracking on the map on the display or voice commands, to a person driving car, motorcycle, bicycle and other vehicle, as well as in a number of similar situations for walking users. A user orientation device, characterized in that it is made in the form of a bracelet in which the mobile navigation device of the satellite navigation system is located, a means for communicating with the mobile navigation device, and vibro-tactile emitters distributed around the circumference of the bracelet that specify the direction code of movement, and a unit control vibrotactile emitters based on the processing of information from a mobile navigation device. The technical result is achieved by providing spatial orientation when moving the user along a route laid on an electronic map, without visual control on the display of the movement itself.

Description

The utility model relates to orienting people in space using a satellite navigation system. The utility model is intended for use by people with visual impairments. The utility model is also applicable for people with normal vision in situations where it is impossible or undesirable to distract from tracking the road, switching attention to tracking on the map on the display or voice commands, to a person driving a car, motorcycle, bicycle and other vehicle, and also in a number of similar situations for walking users.

GPS (Global Positioning System) and other satellite navigation systems are widespread as tools for determining the route to a given destination. Using satellite signals, the system determines the coordinates in which the vehicle is currently located. This information is then displayed on a map of the area and used to build a route to the selected destination.

Some vehicles have built-in satellite navigation devices and use the dashboard screen as well as sound alerts to display a map of the route and / or direction of movement.

Currently, GPS-modules are also equipped with personal mobile devices - both expensive functional devices and popular inexpensive smartphones. Orientation is carried out by electronic cards installed in the smartphone software, and management, route selection, location control is carried out using the touch screen of a mobile device. Map orientation using GPS and a smartphone is available to most users.

However, it is clear that for people with visual impairments, orienteering devices using visual control along the route are difficult or unacceptable.

Known device Touch & Go - GPS-navigator for the blind [https://geektimes.ru/post/66162/], worn on the wrist, shoulder or belt and using a satellite navigation system. On a special "screen" of the device, the terrain is displayed by bulges and depressions. The arrow indicates the direction in which the user should move, the orientation is accompanied by voice messages transmitted through the headphones. The disadvantage of the device is an additional danger for the blind, caused by the need to receive audio messages through headphones, because thereby the blind person is deprived of the opportunity to hear sounds around him, including sounds that portend a danger (the sound of an approaching car, a sound signal of a traffic light that prohibits the passage, etc.) e). Thus, replacing visual control with audio control does not solve the problem, since for people with impaired vision, only tactile sensations are most effective in orientation.

The well-known design of smart watches Apple Watch, whose work is based on the tactile response technology Taptic Engine [http://lapplebi.com/aksessuary/2175-taptic-engine-s-tehnologiey-taktilnogo-otklika-glavnaya-fishka-apple-watch. html]. The device, worn on the wrist, looks like a watch on a bracelet and is equipped with a touch screen. Taptic Engine technology is used in all standard applications. When a user receives a notification, turns the Digital Crown, or presses the display, he feels tactile contact - different for each type of action. The Taptic Engine thus signals any events. The nature of the tactile touch is so different that the user is able to recognize different types of signal. The GPS navigation application “Maps” can send notifications to the owner of the watch about where to turn at one time or another. In this case, the signals for turning left-right will be different. Tactile touch of the wrist is carried out using a linear displacement actuator. The main disadvantage of smart watches Apple Watch is the complexity of the hardware-software execution, since the technology is implemented on the basis of a specially designed device. In addition, the use of a single vibrotactile emitter implies the existence of a whole set of coded tactile actions for different situations in which it is rather difficult to navigate, and therefore, when using the “card” application, it is easy to make a mistake in recognizing the signal, and accordingly, you can go the wrong way. This technology involves the presence of visual control on the display.

As a prototype, the Orienteering device for people with visual impairments, described in the patent for utility model of the Russian Federation No. 120567, publ. 09/27/2012. The device contains a sensor that determines the distance to surrounding objects in a given direction, and transmits information to the block converter, converting the signals about the distances received from the sensor into a set of electrical pulses that are fed to a vibrotactile matrix containing a set of vibrotactile elements whose frequency of operation is proportional to the distance from sensor to obstacle. The base with the matrices is fixed to the human body with the help of encircling fixing straps. The main disadvantage of the device is the possibility of using tactile sensations to navigate in space only in relation to objects located at close range, accessible for tracking by a sensor based on web-cameras. The device does not allow you to navigate on the maps - along the paved route from the starting point - to the final.

Thus, on the one hand, orientation devices are known that allow using satellite navigation systems to plot a route on navigation maps from a starting point to an end point, but they are unacceptable for people with visual impairments, on the other hand, devices specially designed for these persons are known , but they have a limited coverage area - within the characteristics of web-cameras, and their task is limited to providing the ability to bypass obstacles.

The utility model is based on the task of expanding the arsenal of funds and creating a new device that allows you to follow the route laid along the electronic navigation map. Achievable technical result - providing the possibility of spatial orientation when moving the user along a route laid on an electronic map, without visual control on the display of the movement itself.

The inventive user orientation device is characterized in that it is made in the form of a wrist bracelet that fits tightly around the wrist, in which the mobile navigation device of the satellite navigation system is located, a means for communicating with the mobile navigation device (special connector and / or module). The bracelet also houses vibrotactile emitters distributed around the circumference of the bracelet, specifying the direction code of movement, and a control unit of vibrotactile emitters based on the processing of information received from a mobile navigation device. As a mobile navigation device, a navigator already manufactured by the industry can be used, the dimensions of which allow it to be installed on a bracelet, for example, the so-called smart watches, providing them with the necessary software, or another multifunctional mobile device - a miniature analogue of a smartphone. In this case, as one of the vibrotactile emitters, setting the direction code, the vibrotactile emitter of the smart watch itself can be used. Perhaps the use of a specially designed navigator for these purposes.

In the context of this application, the term "user direction code" means, for example, for a circuit with four emitters: emitter A — forward movement, emitter B — rightward movement, emitter B — backward movement, emitter G — leftward movement.

In order to better demonstrate the distinctive features of the utility model, as an example, not having any restrictive nature, the following describes a variant of the bracelet with four vibrotactile emitters. An example is described in an implementation using a GPS navigation system. However, it is possible to implement using the Glonass navigation system, or any other technologies applicable for these purposes.

The utility model is illustrated by a figure, which schematically shows an orientation device - a bracelet. The electronic circuitry for the implementation of the orientation device is not the subject of this utility model.

The drawing indicates:

1. bracelet

2. vibrotactile emitters,

3. a mobile navigation device,

4. control unit vibrotactile emitters,

5. power supply (battery),

6. button for quick directions to the main points of interest.

Vibrotactile emitters 2 are integrated into the bracelet 1 in such a way that the vibrating surface is located on the inside of the bracelet, which can be provided with special marks. The design of the bracelet provides a tight grip on the wrist, and, accordingly, good contact of the emitting surface of the emitters with the skin of the wrist. The very location of the emitters around the circumference of the bracelet carries a code for the direction of movement of the user (forward, backward, right, left). As vibrotactile emitters, it is possible to use electromechanical devices (eccentric rotating mass with an engine), electromagnetic, as well as piezoelectric vibrators, electroactive polymers or alloys with shape memory. The drawing shows an implementation with block 4 control vibrotactile emitters as a separate structural element. However, this function can be incorporated into a multifunctional mobile navigation device.

The orientation device is used as follows. When the program starts, the mobile navigation device determines the location of the user, whose coordinates are taken as the starting point of the route. If the user's location does not coincide with the starting point of the route, the user manually enters the geographical coordinates of the source and destination using the touch screen of the mobile device for the sighted person or in the case of using the mobile device for the blind, or by voice (if voice recognition is possible) points of the route, or the corresponding street / house names (address). The navigation software of the mobile device paves the route in accordance with the information entered by the user and tracks the user's location relative to the route, receiving the coordinates of the user's location from the navigation module, receiving signals from the satellites of the GPS navigation system. If there is a need to change the direction (right or left, turn back) in accordance with the route punched, or if the user deviates from the specified route (instead of going straight, the user turns to the side) and there is a need to adjust the user's direction of navigation the software sends the relevant information to the unit 4 control vibrotactile emitters. In accordance with the information received, the vibrotactile emitter control unit 4 activates that vibrotactile emitter, which is responsible for correcting or confirming the direction that must be observed to reach the user-defined route point as it moves along the route on this section of the route. Having felt the vibration of the emitter, the user receives information about the need to correct the direction of his movement relative to the paved route in the direction corresponding to the code of the emitter, while the vibration of the emitter corresponding to the code "forward movement" means that the user moves in accordance with the paved route. The control unit 4 is capable of adjusting the vibration frequency or vibration force depending on how large the angle of divergence between the real direction of movement and the direction of movement along a given route.

The system monitors the user's movement, “checking” the direction of movement with a given route until the user reaches the end point of the route. The correct direction of movement and its change (control) is carried out without visual observation of the smartphone screen. To charge the elements of the bracelet, a battery 5 is used, equipped with an appropriate microUSB or miniUSB connector.

An implementation is also possible for blind users, in which a mobile device or bracelet is equipped with buttons for quickly navigating to the main points of interest (clinic, pharmacy). In this case, the user presses the desired button, and the program paves the route to a given point. Further, the use of the device is carried out as described above.

Thus, the claimed device, the operation of which is based on the application of the vibrotactile effect, provides navigation without sound alerts and without visual tracking on the map on the display of the correct user following the selected route.

Claims (2)

1. User orientation device, characterized in that it is made in the form of a bracelet in which the mobile navigation device of the satellite navigation system is located, a means for communicating with the mobile navigation device, and vibrotactile emitters distributed around the circumference of the bracelet that specify the direction code and a control unit for vibrotactile emitters based on processing information from a mobile navigation device. 2. The user orientation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bracelet has a socket for installing said mobile device.

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