The present disclosure relates to techniques for managing navigation alerts. The disclosure generally describes an exemplary technique whereby a first device, such as a smartphone, coordinates the timing or sequence of alerts for a navigation instruction on the first device and on a second device, such as a smartwatch. In some examples, the second device presents an alert to a user indicating an event condition has been met before the first device presents a different alert to the user indicating that the same event condition has been met. The alert presented on the second device and the different alert presented on the first device are spaced apart in time by at least a predetermined delay time period, where the predetermined delay time period is based on the event condition. The alert at the second device allows the user to anticipate the alert at the first device.

The present disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. More particularly, but not exclusively, this disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for the creation of an acoustic field providing tactile sensations for use with an interactive device.

The disclosure provides a method of generating a tactile sensation. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of acoustic transducers arranged to generate a predetermined distribution of pressure patterns, wherein the pressure patterns comprise a first region providing a first tactile sensation and a second region providing a second, different, tactile sensation.

A system for exerting forces on a user. The system includes a user-mounted device including one or more masses, one or more sensors configured to acquire sensor data, and a processor coupled to the one or more sensors. The processor is configured to determine at least one of an orientation and a position associated with the user-mounted device based on the sensor data. The processor is further configured to compute a force to be exerted on the user via the one or more masses based on a force direction associated with a force event and at least one of the orientation and the position. The processor is further configured to generate, based on the force, a control signal to change a position of the one or more masses relative to the user-mounted device.

An information processing apparatus that determines a direction to browsed next as a guiding direction with a location of content displayed by a display of the information processing apparatus as a reference location; determines a perceptual strength of each of a plurality of active elements disposed in different locations on or within a casing of the information processing apparatus based on the guiding direction; and controls each of the plurality of active elements based on the perceptual strengths.

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.

Aspects of the disclosure are related to a connected shoe apparatus, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; a radio; an antenna; and a magnetometer, wherein the connected shoe apparatus is wearable as a shoe by a user, and wherein the processor is to: determine a direction the connected shoe apparatus is facing with the magnetometer, and transmit information associated with the direction to a second device via the radio and the antenna.

An operating device is for operating a computing device, e.g., an operating device is for operating a computing device for controlling functions in a motor vehicle, the operating device including a display for optically displaying information, a touch screen situated above the display, for the input of commands by touching the touch screen and/or by pressing on the touch screen, and an actuator for setting the touch screen in motion, and the operating device having an internal control system for controlling the actuator for setting in motion the touch screen in response to a touching of the touch screen and/or in response to a pressing on the touch screen, in an area of the touch screen that is provided for haptic feedback.

Among other things, one or more client devices, techniques, and/or systems are provided for providing linear route conditions. A linear route condition interface, presented to a user, may comprise a linear route representation (e.g., represented by a horizontal or vertical bar) of a route from a starting location to a destination location. The linear route representation depicts a first road segment, populated with a traffic flow indicator, a second road segment, populated with a second traffic flow indicator, and/or any other number of road segments between the starting location and the destination location. Responsive to identifying user indication of interest for the first road segment, supplementary information about traffic conditions on the first road segment are presented to the user. Responsive to identifying user indication of interest for the second road segment, supplementary information about traffic conditions on the second road segment are presented to the user.

Systems, methods, and related technologies are provided for enhanced navigation instruction. In one implementation, a likelihood of non-compliance by a user with the navigation instruction can be determined with respect to a navigation instruction, based on the likelihood of non-compliance by the user with the navigation instruction. One or more interfaces at which to provide a notification that corresponds to the navigation instruction can be selected. The notification can be provided via the selected interface(s). Various other technologies are also disclosed.

A system, and method for communicating navigation information to a vehicle operator through actuators in a steering mechanism for a vehicle. The steering mechanism can include multiple actuators along or in a surface a vehicle operator touches to steer the vehicle. Different numbers of actuators can be actuated under an operator's hand to communicate the severity of an upcoming turn. Alternatively, an actuator can be actuated by different amounts to communicate the severity of an upcoming turn. Proximity of an upcoming turn can be communicated by cycling actuators at different rates for different turns. By actuating actuators under an operator's left hand or the left portion of a hand, a left-hand turn can be communicated. Conversely, by actuating actuators under an operator's right hand or the right portion of a hand, a right-hand turn can be communicated.