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US 10,121,335 B2Granted
Wearable haptic device for the visually impaired
AssigneeGoogle Technology Holdings LLC
InventorsItisha C. Deokar, Jiri Slaby
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Techniques and apparatuses enabling a wearable haptic device for the visually impaired. The techniques enable users to interact with their mobile devices using haptics, both to receive information, such as through haptic projections providing Braille symbols from their devices, and to make selections for their devices, such as through haptic guides. The techniques may also enable users to better move from place to place by providing haptic output indicating objects and impediments to the user of the wearable haptic device.
Claims18
A method comprising:
- receiving, by a wearable electronic device having at least one processor, a message having content;
- providing, by the wearable electronic device and via a haptic output, an indication of a reception of the message;
- causing the wearable electronic device to raise a first set of tactile projections, wherein the first set of tactile projections correspond to a first portion of the content;
- determining, by the wearable electronic device, based on input received via a scanning touch of the first set of tactile projections, a scan speed at which the first set of tactile projections are touched;
- and
- causing the wearable electronic device to:
- lower, at the scan speed, each of the first set of tactile projections, one by one;
- and
- raise, at the scan speed, each of a second set of tactile projections, one by one, to replace the first set of tactile projections, wherein the second set of tactile projections correspond to a second portion of the content different from the first portion.
6 more elements
A wearable electronic device, comprising:
- an inner surface having a skin-contact region;
- an outer surface configured to receive a touch input;
- a network interface;
- one or more processors;
- and
- one or more memory devices configured to store instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to:
- receive a message having content through the network interface;
- cause the skin-contact region to provide a haptic output indicating a reception of the message;
- cause the wearable electronic device to raise, at the outer surface, a first set of tactile projections corresponding to a first portion of the content;
- determine, based on input received via a scanning touch of the first set of tactile projections, a scan speed at which the first set of tactile projections are touched;
- and
- cause the wearable electronic device to:
- lower, at the scan speed, each of the first set of tactile projections, one by one;
- and
- raise, at the scan speed, each of a second set of tactile projections, one by one, to replace the first set of tactile projections, wherein the second set of tactile projections correspond to a second portion of the content different from the first portion.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.