A method of alerting a user includes storing data regarding a plurality of inputs via a controller having a memory and a processor, and determining if a predetermined threshold is reached in light of the inputs. The method also includes activating an indicator of a seat when the predetermined threshold is reached to alert the user.

An alert system includes a seat. The seat includes an indicator. The alert system also includes a controller in communication with the indicator. The controller includes a processor and a memory having recorded instructions for alerting a user. The controller is configured to store data regarding a plurality of inputs and determine if a predetermined threshold is reached in light of the inputs. The controller is also configured to activate an indicator of a seat when the predetermined threshold is reached to alert the user.

The present invention provides a wearable navigation forearm-band device for intuitive navigation of a user to his destination, the device including at least four tactile stimulus providers, each adapted to impact on different areas of a forearm of a user to provide a specific direction of movement of the user, wherein the device is adapted to receive commands from a communication apparatus to activate said vibration indicators response to a position of the user.

The present invention provides a method for provision of a set of distinguishable tactile instructions to a user. The method includes providing a plurality of tactile stimuli to the user from a device, each of the tactile stimuli combination providing only one instruction of the set to the user. The device is configured to provide unmistakable, distinguished commands, without the need for verbal or visual instructions. The method also includes wirelessly communicating instructions to the device to activate at least four tactile stimulus components of the device thereby providing the set of distinguishable tactile instructions to the user.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for providing routing and navigational information to users (e.g., visually handicapped users). Example methods may include determining, by one or more computer processors coupled to at least one memory, a first location of a user device and an orientation of a user device, and generating a first route based on the first location, the first orientation, and a destination location. Further, the method may include determining one or more obstacles on the first route using data corresponding to visual information and one or more artificial intelligence techniques; and generating a second route based on the one or more obstacles detected on the first route.

The present invention relates to a haptic pedal (10) for a vehicle (4). The pedal comprises a plurality of piezoelectric actuators (22) operable for providing haptic feedback to a driver through the footrest (18) and sensing means (26) for mapping the area of the footrest in contact with a driver's foot so that haptic feedback is delivered by selective activation of actuators in the mapped area. The invention also comprises a haptic feedback system including the haptic pedal (10) and a controller (6) for receiving an input from the sensing means (26) relating to the area of the footrest in contact with the driver's foot and for delivering an output to selectively activate piezoelectric actuators overlapping the contact area in dependence on a sensed state of the vehicle. The haptic feedback system may be implemented as part of the vehicle's navigation system.

User devices, methods, and computer-readable media are described for providing source-of-sound based navigation to a visually-impaired user. A sound detected at a user device of a visually-impaired user is categorized and an approximate location of a source of the sound is determined. A contextual analysis is performed based on the determined sound category such that the results of the contextual analysis indicate whether the visually-impaired user should be directed towards or away from the location of the sound source. An evacuation path is determined in those scenarios in which the user should be directed away from the detected sound and a tactile representation of the evacuation path is generated on a display of the visually-impaired user's device. A navigation path is determined in those scenarios in which the user should be directed towards the detected sound and a corresponding tactile representation thereof is generated.

Technologies are described for indicating a geographic origin of a digitally-mediated communication relative to a location of a recipient by presenting the indication in an augmented reality scene. For example, an augmented reality scene can be presented to the recipient. The geographic origin of an incoming digital communication may be determined and a relative location of the origin with respect to the recipient's location may be computed. A format for presenting the relative location may be derived from the digital communication and the geographic origin. The augmented reality scene may be updated with the relative location based on the derived format. Techniques for integrating digital communications, location-based services, and augmented reality applications can enhance the recipient's experience by providing a perceptual solution to the loss of certain fundamental aspects of natural communication, such as the ability to instantly determine the geographic origin or relative location of an incoming digital communication.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for providing directions haptically such that sight and hearing can continue unimpeded. In one exemplary embodiment, a wearable device (such as earphones, ear rings, gloves, glasses, or other wearable objects) 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 wearable device has multiple haptic output units and generates, through one of those units, a haptic output based on the directions. This allows the user to receive the directions through touch rather than looking at their mobile device or from audio.

The present invention provides a method for provision of a set of distinguishable tactile instructions to a user. The method includes providing a plurality of tactile stimuli to the user from a device, each of the tactile stimuli combination providing only one instruction of the set to the user. The device is configured to provide unmistakable, distinguished commands, without the need for verbal or visual instructions. The method also includes wirelessly communicating instructions to the device to activate at least four tactile stimulus components of the device thereby providing the set of distinguishable tactile instructions to the user.

An environment assembly and interface for constructing trajectory (1) in the environment, the trajectory construction interface (1) including a mapping (2a) of the environment, the environment including at least one object, wherein the trajectory construction interface (1) includes: a memory (2) in which is stored the mapping (2a); a system for real-time calculation (6); a system for determining position of a user (3); a system for determining real azimuth of the user (4); a system for indication by haptic stimulation of the position of the at least one object (7), said system for indication of the position of the at least one object (7) being controlled by the system for real-time calculation (6); and a system for indication by haptic stimulation of the actual azimuth of the at least one object (8), said system for indication of the actual azimuth being controlled by the means of real-time calculation (6).