Communicating information to a user
View Patent ↗A method and device for providing information to a user are provided. The method includes providing at least one user indicator device in operable communication with the user for providing non-visual and non-verbal communications to the user, and enabling information to be received by the user indicator device from a remote source. The method further includes communicating information to the user via the user indicator device in a non-visual and non-verbal way that may be substantially indicative of at least one instruction for the user so the user can operate in one or more environments in conformance with the information provided.
1. A system for providing real time, dynamic, continuous, non-visual and non-verbal navigation instructions that at least periodically direct a user to move in particular directions within an environment as the user moves along a route within the environment, comprising:
first and second user indicator devices, each device at least including hardware and software for receiving and converting externally generated signals into a variety of haptic signals recognizable by the user, the first and second indicator devices being designed for removable positioning on right and left appendages of a user respectively, the haptic signals varying with respect to at least one of duration, frequency, position on the user and type where the duration, frequency, position on the user and type of the haptic signals provide the user with instructions to move in one or more directions as the user moves along a route within the environment; and
a mobile device for use in relatively close proximity to the first and second user indicator devices and capable of receiving both real time navigation information from a remote source as well as real time commands inputted from another person and communicating the information and commands to the user indicator devices in the form of signals so that the indicator devices can convert those signals into haptic signals recognizable by the user, the haptic signals continuously directing the user to move in a particular direction as the user moves along a route within the environment.
2. The system as defined in claim 1 , including providing at least a first haptic signal directing the user to turn in a particular direction at a first point, the first haptic signal being provided when the user is at a first position substantially close to but slightly before the user reaches the first point and at least a second haptic signal directing the user to turn in the particular direction at the first point, the second haptic signal being provided as the user is at a second position even closer to the first point than the first position.
3. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the real time commands inputted from another person to the mobile device at least include both a direction for the user to move as well as commands to take or not take a particular action.
4. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein at least 2 users are included and the mobile device includes a display screen and the positions of the users are visible on the screen within the environment so the other person providing commands knows where each user is positioned and can direct them together or individually to move in a direction within the environment.