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Publication Number
US-12567341-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
An orientation assistance system comprises acquisition means for acquiring a real or virtual visual environment, non-visual human/machine interface means, and processing means for processing the digital representation of the visual environment to provide an electrical control signal for controlling a non-visual interface. The human/machine interface means comprise a bracelet having a haptic region with a surface area of between 60×60 millimeters and 150×150 millimeters, with a set of N×M active spikes, where N is between 5 and 100 and M is between 10 and 100. The processing means for processing the digital representation is configured to periodically extract at least one pulsed digital activation pattern of a subset of the spikes of the haptic region.
Core Innovation
The orientation assistance system acquires a real or virtual visual environment and processes a digital representation of that visual environment to provide an electrical control signal for controlling a non-visual human/machine interface means. The system includes human/machine interface means configured as a bracelet with a haptic interface consisting essentially of a single haptic region located on an inner surface of the bracelet. The single haptic region has a surface area between 60×60 millimeters and 150×150 millimeters and comprises a set of N×M active spikes, with N between 5 and 100 and M between 10 and 100.
The processing periodically extracts at least one pulsed digital activation pattern of a subset of the spikes of the haptic region. The pulsed digital activation pattern is determined on a basis of a level of experience of a user. The system further provides progressive haptic information through sequences of activation patterns, where the activation patterns are repeatedly extracted and used to generate electrical control signals.
The digital representation processing can include image sensor acquisition and digital depth map computation for representing the visual environment. The system selects representation and pattern processing modes for different contexts, and can determine activation-pattern models depending on whether the visual environment belongs to a prerecorded class of environments and on the user level of experience. The resulting digital activation patterns can be configured to align spikes to form an angle corresponding to a direction of movement, and to configure spikes for a horizontal-plane projection of main points of interest.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001. It covers an orientation assistance system that maps a processed digital representation of a real/virtual visual environment into pulsed spike activation patterns on a bracelet haptic interface, with pattern selection based on a user’s level of experience. Dependent claims further refine the inventive mapping by adding specific spike-configuration commands, context-dependent activation-pattern models, sensing/representation constraints, and optional server-based geolocated model exchange.
Bracelet haptic interface with a single inner haptic region and N×M active spikes
The human/machine interface means comprises a bracelet having a haptic interface consisting essentially of a single haptic region located on an inner surface of the bracelet, where the single haptic region has a surface area between 60×60 millimeters and 150×150 millimeters and includes a set of N×M active spikes with N between 5 and 100 and M between 10 and 100.
Periodically extracted pulsed digital activation patterns for a subset of spikes
The processing periodically extracts at least one pulsed digital activation pattern of a subset of the spikes of the haptic region, and uses the pulsed digital activation pattern to provide the electrical control signal for controlling the non-visual interface.
Experience-based determination of pulsed digital activation patterns
The pulsed digital activation pattern is determined on a basis of a level of experience of a user.
Spike alignment to encode direction of movement as an angle
A pulsed activation command aligns spikes to form an angle, with respect to a bracelet reference axis, corresponding to a direction of movement relative to a reference direction of the visual environment.
Horizontal-plane projection of main points of interest
At least one digital activation pattern includes a pulsed activation command for configuring spikes to perform a horizontal-plane projection of main points of interest in a digital representation of a visual environment.
Activation-pattern model selection based on environment class membership
The system determines a pulsed digital activation pattern model of a subset of haptic-region spikes based on whether the visual environment belongs to a prerecorded class of environments.
Image-sensor sensing and depth-map generation
The acquisition means includes at least one image sensor worn by a bracelet wearer and a depth-map processing device that generates a digital depth map.
Server-based geolocated acquisition and position-dependent model transmission
The system includes a server that communicates with equipment items to receive geolocated acquisition data and geolocated model storage data, and transmits the digital geolocated model of the environment to a specific equipment item based on that item’s position.
Overall, the claim set centers on an experience- and context-aware mapping from a processed digital representation of a real/virtual visual environment to pulsed digital activation patterns that control spike-based haptic feedback via a bracelet with a single inner haptic region. Dependent claims specify particular spike-command mappings (angle/direction alignment and horizontal-plane projection), activation-pattern model selection based on prerecorded environment classes, sensing and depth-map generation, and optional server-based geolocated model exchange tied to equipment position.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Orientation assistance using a haptic bracelet for low-visibility navigation based on a real or virtual visual environment.
Progressive non-visual haptic guidance using sequences of spike activation patterns.
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