Directional feedback

This disclosure is directed to providing directional feedback to a user. For example, this disclosure describes techniques for determining at least one characteristic of a device in space. For example, a device may be configured to determine, using one or more sensors, one or more characteristics of the device in space. For example, the device may be configured to determine one or more of a direction, and/or geographical position of the device as pointed by a user in space. The device may compare one or more of the determined one or more characteristics of the device in space to a desired destination or path specified by the user, and provide the user with directional feedback if the determined one or more characteristics of the device in space are consistent with the desired destination or path.

TECHNICAL FIELD

In general, this disclosure is directed to techniques for providing navigational instructions to a user of mobile device.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, mobile devices that are configured to detect a user's position, e.g., devices that include global positioning system (GPS) functionality, have become increasingly popular with consumers. A GPS system may be configured to determine a user's geographic location on the earth, e.g., a latitude and/or longitude. Such devices may be configured to execute application software that interfaces with device sensors and/or network-accessible information to determine a user's geographic location.

GPS-enabled devices may provide a user with feedback, such as a graphical depiction of a map that may be updated to show a user's location and/or a desired directional path. Some GPS enabled devices further provide a user with verbal or textual feedback indicating a desired path for the user. Still other GPS-enabled devices provide a user with alternate forms of feedback for navigation purposes, such as a vibration, simulated voice prompt, or other form of alarm when the user has strayed from a desired path.

Other GPS-enabled devices may provide a user with feedback relative to the earth's directional poles in addition to a global position such as a provided by a GPS unit. For example, some mobile device navigation systems may utilize a magnetometer to determine a user's direction with respect to the magnetic poles of the earth (e.g., north, south, east, west). Such systems may update a graphical depiction of a map based on the user's directional focus.

SUMMARY

Some techniques for providing navigational feedback may suffer from certain drawbacks in environments where navigational feedback might be helpful. For example, a user may desire to receive navigational feedback from a mobile device in an environment that is noisy, crowded, and/or makes viewing a display of the device difficult or even impossible (e.g., a crowded amusement park or in a noisy urban area on a sunny day). Some techniques may be undesirable under such circumstances, because noise may render audio feedback (e.g., verbal instructions or other audible sounds) difficult or even impossible to hear. Similarly, graphical feedback from a mobile device display may not be easily viewable in direct sunlight. Increasing an intensity of a display may improve a user's ability to view the display in sunlight. This, however, this may cause an undesirable drain on battery power of the device.

This disclosure is directed to improvements in mobile device navigational instructions. The techniques described herein are generally directed to a mobile device that a user may “point” in a particular location with a particular orientation, altitude, and/or direction and provide the user with directional feedback that the direction/orientation the user is pointing the device in is consistent with a desired destination of the user, or a path to the desired destination. In some examples, the directional feedback may be palpable, or easily detectable, feedback (e.g., a vibration or easily detectable light such as a high intensity strobe light).

The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented using various sensors of a mobile device or other information available to the mobile device. For example, sensors of a mobile device, such as one or more of an accelerometer, magnetometer, and gyroscope sensors may be utilized to determine a direction, altitude, and/or orientation of the device as pointed by the user. The mobile device may further be configured to determine a global location of the mobile device. The mobile device may be configured to identify, based on the determined orientation, direction, altitude and/or global location of the mobile device, whether or not the user has pointed the mobile device at a desired destination of the user, or along a path leading to the desired destination of the user.

In some examples, a device configured to operate consistent with the techniques of this disclosure may provide a user with directional feedback indicating that device is pointed consistent with a desired path or destination. In some examples, the directional feedback may be palpable or easily detectable by a user. According to one example, the device may be configured to provide haptic directional feedback. For example, the device may provide feedback in the form of vibrations of the mobile device. For example, if the user is pointing the mobile device at a desired destination or path to a desired destination, the mobile device may vibrate, thus indicating to the user to travel in the direction the user was pointing. In another example, directional feedback may be communicated to the user visually. For example, directional feedback may be communicated to the user in the form of a high intensity light, e.g., using one or more strobe LED (light-emitting diodes) of the mobile device. This technique may provide a user with a palpable indication of navigational feedback, without causing a significant battery drain for the mobile device. According to other examples, directional feedback may be communicated to the user in the form of a high-intensity light provided using a display screen of the mobile device.

According to one example, a method is described herein. The method includes receiving, by a mobile device, an indication of a desired physical destination of a user of the mobile device. The method further includes detecting, by the mobile device, an orientation of the mobile device in space, a direction in which at least one defined portion of the mobile device is pointed in space, and a geographic location of the mobile device. The method further includes comparing the detected orientation, direction, and geographic location of the mobile device to the desired physical destination of the user of the mobile device. The method further includes when the detected orientation, direction, and geographic location of the mobile device are consistent with the desired physical destination, providing the user with at least one indication that the orientation, direction, and geographic location are consistent with the desired physical destination.

According to another example, a mobile device is described herein. The mobile device includes a user input module configured to receive from a user at least one indication of a desired physical destination of the user. The mobile device further includes a sense module configured to detect, using at least one sensor of the mobile device, an orientation of the mobile device in space, a direction in which at least one defined portion of the mobile device is pointed in space, and a geographic location of the mobile device. The mobile device further includes means for comparing the detected orientation, a direction, and a geographic location to the desired destination of the user of the mobile device. The mobile device further includes an output module configured to, when the detected orientation, direction, and geographic location are consistent with the desired destination, provide the user with at least one indication that the orientation, direction, and geographic location are consistent with the desired physical destination.

According to another example, a computer-readable storage medium is described herein. The computer-readable storage medium includes instructions configured to cause a computing device to receive an indication of a desired physical destination of a user of a mobile device. The instructions further cause the computing device to detect an orientation of the mobile device in space, a direction in which at least one defined portion of the mobile device is pointed in space, and a geographic location of the mobile device. The instructions further cause the computing device to compare the detected orientation, a direction, and a geographic location to the desired physical destination of the user of the mobile device. The instructions further cause the computing device to when the detected orientation, direction, and geographic location are consistent with the desired physical destination, provide the user with at least one indication that the orientation, direction, and geographic location are consistent with the desired destination.

The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of these examples will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a conceptual diagram that illustrates one example of a mobile device101that may be operated in accordance with the techniques of this disclosure. As shown inFIG. 1, a user102may desire to travel to a physical destination103. The user may desire to receive guidance from device101to assist the user to locate destination103. Device101pictured inFIG. 1is a cellular phone. Device101however may include any type of portable computing device that includes one or more sensors as described herein. For example, device101may be a laptop computer, netbook computer, smartphone, tablet computer, wearable computing device (e.g., a watch or similar wearable computing device), or any other device that includes one or more sensors as described in further detail below. The example device101depicted inFIG. 1is a clamshell-type cellular phone. In other examples not depicted inFIG. 1, the techniques of this disclosure may also be applicable to a non-clamshell type mobile device, such as a smart phone that relies primarily on user touch, and includes a minimum of physical buttons.

Consistent with the techniques of this disclosure, as shown inFIG. 1, device101may be configured to provide a user with feedback regarding a desired physical destination103of user102based on detecting one or more conditions of device101. For example, device101may be configured to detect, based on one or more sensors of device101, one or more characteristics of mobile device101in space, e.g., one or more indications of a user pointing device101in space. For example, device101may detect one or more indications of mobile device101in space such as a geographical location110of device101(e.g., global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of device101), an orientation112of device101(e.g., an angle of inclination of device with respect to a reference plane119), an altitude114of device101(e.g., a height of device101with respect to reference plane119), and/or a direction116of device101(e.g., a direction at which device101is pointed with respect to one or more magnetic poles of the earth, such as whether the device is pointed north, south, east, or west).

In response to detecting the one or more indications of mobile device101in space, device101may provide a user with one or more indications regarding a desired destination of user102. For example, device101may provide user102with one or more indications that device101is pointed in a direction consistent with a desired path to travel to desired destination103. As another example, device101may provide user102with one or more indications that device101is pointed directly at destination103. In some examples, the one or more indications may include a palpable indication such as a may be a haptic indication, such as a vibration of device101. According to other examples, the one or more indications may include a highly visible indication such as a high intensity light, e.g., light emitted by one or more LEDs of device101or a display screen of device101. For example, a bright LED that briefly flashes on and off may be highly visible even in extremely bright ambient conditions.

Various examples are described herein where a device101is configured to detect one or more characteristics of device101pointed in space. For example, device101may be configured to detect that a user has held out device101(e.g., in front of the user) in a particular direction. In some examples, device101may be configured to detect one or more characteristics (e.g., orientation, direction, altitude, whether the device is in an open/closed configuration) of device101with respect to one or more defined portions of device101. For example, device101may be configured to detect one or more characteristics with respect to a top portion of device (e.g., a top portion as device101is held by a user to view a display of device), a bottom portion, or any other portion of device101. According to other examples, device101may be configured to detect the above-described one or more characteristics with respect to an axis of device. For example, where device101has a rectangular shape, device101may be configured to detect the above-described one or more characteristics with respect to an axis in parallel with one or more longer sides of device101.

In some examples, device101may be configured to detect one or more characteristics of device101pointed in space based on receipt of user input identifying a portion, axis, or other aspect of device for which device101may determine one or more characteristics of device101pointed in space. For example, device101may be configured to receive user input identifying a top, bottom, or side portion of device101that device101may use as a reference to determine one or more characteristics of device101pointed in space. According to other examples, device101may be configured to automatically determine a reference portion of device101to be used as a reference to determine one or more characteristics of device101pointed in space. For example, device101may be configured to determine a portion (e.g., a top or bottom) of device101that is closest to a user, and use a portion of device101furthest away from the user as a reference to determine one or more characteristics of device101pointed in space.

The techniques described above may be beneficial for a number of reasons. For example, instead of providing user102with a displayed map of a geographical location that the user must interpret and correlate with an actual environment of user102(e.g., streets, buildings, other landmarks), user102may use device101to quickly ascertain a desired path to or location of destination103by merely pointing device101in space until device101provides one or more indications of directional feedback. As such, user102may be able to navigate to a desired destination with less time and effort than map/voice-text prompt based techniques for directional guidance.

In some examples, these techniques may be useful in noisy, crowded, or highly lit conditions where other forms of directional feedback (e.g., audible sound, graphical display or directional feedback) are undesirable. For example, where user102desires to locate a destination103comprising a location of another user in a crowded, loud, or bright conditions where other forms of feedback are difficult for the user to interpret, the user may merely point his/her device to determine a location of the destination103(e.g., the other user), to determine a location of and/or path to destination103. For example, a user may point device101in various directions/orientations/inclinations until device101provides a user with directional feedback that indicates that device101is being pointed at a desired destination103or a path to a desired destination103.

According to another example, the techniques of this disclosure may be desirable because they may provide user102with more detailed information than the above-described traditional map/voice-text prompt-based techniques. For example, by providing directional feedback based on detecting characteristics of a user pointing device101, device101may provide a user with feedback indicating a vertical elevation of a desired destination103. For example, if a user desires direction to a destination that may be on a different floor of a building (e.g., a shopping mall) than the user, the user may point device101upwards, to determine that destination103is at a higher elevation (e.g., a higher floor) than user102.

FIG. 2is a block diagram that illustrates one example of a mobile computing device201configured to operate consistent with the techniques of this disclosure. As shown inFIG. 2, device201includes one or more processors(s)220(hereinafter processor220). Processor220may include one or more components of computing device201configured to process one or more signals configured to cause device201to operate consistent with the techniques of this disclosure. For example, processor201may include one or more components (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) configured to execute one or more program instructions configured to cause device201to operate consistent with the techniques of this disclosure. In other examples, processor201may include one or more hardware components configured to process one or more physical signals (e.g., electrical, optical, or the like), configured to cause device201to operate consistent with the techniques of this disclosure.

As also shown inFIG. 2, device201includes one or more memory component(s)224(hereinafter memory component224) and one or more communications module(s)222(hereinafter communications module222). Memory component224may comprise one or more components of computing device201configured to store data and/or program instructions. For example, Memory component224may include one or more temporary (e.g., random access memory (RAM)) and/or long-term (e.g., magnetic hard disk, FLASH memory, optical disc) storage components. In some examples, memory component224may store one or more computer-readable instructions that, when executed by processor220, cause device201to operate consistent with the techniques of this disclosure.

Communications module222of device201may include any hardware and/or software components of device201configured to enable device201to communicate with one or more other computing devices (not shown inFIG. 2). For example, communications module222may include any hardware and/or software component of device201configured to enable device201to communicate with one or more other devices via a network, such as the Internet. In some examples, processor220of device201may be configured to execute one or more computer-readable instructions received via communications module222, instead of or in addition to one or more instructions stored using storage module224.

As shown inFIG. 2, device201may also include one or more power source(s)226(hereinafter power source226). Power source226may comprise one or more components configured to store energy (e.g., one or more batteries configured to electrical power energy) to power one or more components of device201. For example, energy stored by power source226may be used to power one or more of processor220, communications module222, memory module224, input module(s)225sense module(s)226, sensors230, output module(s)229, and/or output mechanisms240.

As also shown inFIG. 2, device201includes one or more user input module(s)225(hereinafter user input module225). User input module225may comprise one or more hardware and/or software components of device201configured to receive and/or process input from a user. For example, user input module225may be process user input indicating a desired destination of a user. For example, user input module225may be configured to receive from a user one or more indications of an address, location name, coordinate, or other indication of a desired destination103of a user. Non-limiting examples of user input that may be received by user input module225include voice command input, keyboard input, touch sense input (e.g., using a display242or other surface of device), and/or any other form of user input configured to indicate a desired destination of a user.

User input module225may be configured to communicate one or more indications of a desired destination103of a user to direction feedback module (DFM)221. DFM221may be configured to, based on the desired destination103, determine at least one characteristic of device201in space and, based on the at least one determined characteristic, provide feedback (e.g., a palpable indication of the desired destination or path to the desired destination), to a user. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, DFM221may receive, from one or more sensor module(s)228(hereinafter sensor module228), at least one indication of device201in space detected by one or more sensors230of device201. DFM221may, based on the at least one indication of device120in space, communicate one or more control signals to an output module229of device201control one or more output mechanisms240of device201to provide feedback to a user. For example, DFM221may communicate one or more control signals such that a user is provided with at least one indication that at least one characteristic of device201in space (e.g., of a user pointing device201in space) is consistent with a desired destination103or path to desired destination103received using user input module225.

As described above, sensor module228may be configured to receive one or more indications of device201in space from one or more sensors230of device201. As shown inFIG. 2, the one or more sensors230may include at least one position sensor232. The at least one position sensor232may generally be configured to determine a geographical location (e.g., a longitude and/or latitude) of device201. In one example, position sensor232may include a global positioning system (GPS) sensor. In other examples, positions sensor may also or instead include more local positioning sensors, such as systems that use ambient radiation (e.g., a strength of WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular, radio, or television transmissions from identifiable sources) to determine a geographical position of device201. As also shown inFIG. 2, the one or more sensors230may include at least one gyroscope sensor234and/or one or more accelerometer sensors238. The at least one gyroscope sensor234and/or accelerometer sensor238may be configured to determine an orientation/inclination/altitude of device201with respect to a reference plane119. For example, the at least one gyroscope sensor234and/or accelerometer sensor238may be configured to determine an orientation/inclination/altitude of device201with respect to a reference plane119defined by a surface upon which a user operating device201is standing. In other examples, the at least one gyroscope sensor234and/or accelerometer sensor238may be configured to determine movement of device201. For example, the at least one gyroscope sensor234and/or accelerometer sensor238may be configured to determine when device201has changed orientation/inclination, and/or whether an altitude (e.g., vertical position with respect to a reference plane119) of device201has changed.

As also shown inFIG. 2, the one or more sensor(s)230may further include at least one magnetometer sensor236. The at least one magnetometer sensor236may be configured to determine at least one characteristic of a relationship between device201and at least one magnetic/electrical property of the Earth. For example, the at least one magnetometer sensor236may detect one or more magnetic fields of the Earth and determine a direction in which device201is pointing based on the detected one or more magnetic fields.

As described above, sensor module228may receive from one or more sensors230one or more indications of device201in space (e.g., of a user pointing device201in space), and process and/or communicate one or more indications of device201in space to DFM221. Based on the one or more indications of device201in space, DFM221may determine one or more characteristics of device201, such as a direction, orientation, and/or altitude that device201is pointed in. DFM221may further determine other characteristics of device such as a geographical location of device201. DFM221may compare the one or more determined characteristics to received desired destination103and/or a path to a desired destination103(e.g., indicated by user input received from user input module225).

If the one or more determined characteristics indicate that device201is being “pointed” consistent with the desired destination103(e.g., pointed at destination103) and/or a path to a desired destination103(e.g., pointed along a path to destination103), DFM221may communicate one or more control signals to cause an indication that device201is being pointed consistent with the desired destination103and/or path to be communicated to a user. For example, DFM221may communicate one or more control signals to output module(s)229(hereinafter output module229).

Output module229may be configured to control one or more output mechanisms240of device201to communicate with a user102of device201. For example output module229may be configured to control one or more display(s)242, one or more mechanical actuators244(e.g., configured to cause device201to vibrate), and/or one or more auxiliary optical output244(e.g., one or more strobe LEDs or other non-display components of device201configured to output optically recognizable light) of device201to communicate an indication that device201is “pointed” consistent with desired destination103. As described above, by communicating one or more indications that device201is pointed consistent with desired destination103, device201may inform a user of a location of destination103, and/or a path to destination103, while requiring minimal effort by a user (e.g., to compare a map or verbal instruction to the user's surroundings).

As also described above, operating device201as described above may permit a user to use directional feedback as described herein in an environment where other techniques for directional feedback are undesirable. Furthermore, operating device201as described above may further enable a user to determine more information regarding a desired destination103than other techniques, for example a vertical positioning of a desired destination103or path to a desired destination103.

FIG. 3is a conceptual diagram that illustrates one example of how a device301may be used to provide directional feedback318to a user302, in accordance with the techniques of this disclosure. As depicted inFIG. 3, user302may desire assistance to locate a physical destination303. The user may desire assistance from device301, which may be a mobile device such as a mobile phone. User302may provide device301with input indicating destination303. For example, user302may provide an address, and/or geographical coordinate indicating destination303. According to other examples, a user may input an indirect indication of destination303. For example, user302may submit a name (e.g., of a restaurant) of a desired destination303. Device301may correspondingly determine an address and/or geographical coordinates based on the received destination name. For example, device301may be configured to access network-accessible information to determine a desired destination of user302. As an example, device301may be communicatively coupled to one or more network servers or other network-accessible devices configured to store and/or provide geographical mapping information upon request by device301.

According to other examples, user302may desire to locate a person or other device. For example, user302may desired to locate another person who him/herself has another portable device. According to this example, user302may enter an indication of another person (e.g., address book name), and device301may, based on the indication of the another person, determine a location of the other person (e.g., by determining a location of a device associated with the other person). In some examples, device301may be configured to communicate with one or more other devices (e.g., a server, wireless tower/hotspot, or other device), in order to determine a location of the other user. Once determined, the location of the other user may be used as destination303.

FIG. 3depicts one example where device301has determined, based on a destination303, a desired path305to destination303. As depicted inFIG. 3, desired path305includes a user traveling on street1, taking a right at an intersection between street1and a street2, and traveling down street2a distance to destination303.

As also shown inFIG. 3, device301may be configured to provide user302with directional feedback318if user301has pointed device301consistent with path305. For example, if user302points device301in a direction inconsistent with path305, e.g., if a user points device301towards the left of user302as the user is depicted inFIG. 3(e.g., towards the top of the page ofFIG. 3), behind the user302as the user is depicted inFIG. 3(e.g., towards the left with respect to the page ofFIG. 3), or to the right of user302as the user is depicted inFIG. 3(e.g., towards the bottom ofFIG. 3), device301may not provide the user with directional feedback318. However, if the user points device301in the direction shown inFIG. 3(e.g., towards path305, towards the right of the page ofFIG. 3), device301may provide user302with directional feedback318indicating that device301is pointed in a direction consistent with path305to destination303. In some examples, directional feedback318may be palpable feedback, such as a vibration of device301, or the emission of light from one or more of a display (e.g., display242depicted inFIG. 2), or one or more ancillary LEDs of device (e.g., ancillary optical output246depicted inFIG. 2). In still other examples, directional feedback318may instead or in addition include audible feedback, e.g., a voice prompt or alarm indicating that device301is pointed in a direction consistent with path305.

In some examples, device301may be configured to determine whether device301is pointed consistent with path305based on comparison of a detected characteristic of device in space to one or more predetermined thresholds. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, device301may be configured to compare a detected characteristic such as a direction (e.g., using a magnetometer sensor236as described above) to a predefined horizontal angular range315(e.g., 30 degrees, 60 degrees) to determine whether device301is pointed consistent with path305. For example, if the predefined horizontal angular range315is 30 degrees, device301may determine that device301is held consistent with path305if device is held in a direction between −15 and +15 degrees with respect to an actual direction of path305. If device is held at a position outside of −15 and +15 degrees with respect to an actual direction of path305, device301may not provide directional feedback318to user302.

FIG. 4is a conceptual diagram that illustrates one example of how a device401may be used to provide directional feedback418to a user402, in accordance with the techniques of this disclosure. The example depicted inFIG. 4is substantially similar to the example depicted inFIG. 3, where user402desires assistance to locate destination403. However, according to the example ofFIG. 4, device401may be configured to provide directional feedback to user402based on whether device401detects that the user is pointing device401at destination403itself, instead of a path (e.g., path305) to destination403. According to one example, the technique illustrated inFIG. 4may be useful where user402desires to locate another user, e.g., in a crowded area. For example, user402may (e.g., via user input module229) identify the other user, and point device401until device401indicates that destination403(the other user) is located in path along which device401is pointed. Accordingly, user402may quickly determine a location of destination403(e.g., the other user), without manually correlating the user's surroundings with a map or other form of directional feedback.

In some examples, device401may be configured to determine whether device401is pointed consistent with destination403based on comparison of a detected characteristic of device in space to one or more predetermined thresholds. For example, as shown inFIG. 4, device401may be configured to compare a detected characteristic such as a direction (e.g., using a magnetometer sensor236as described above) to a predefined angular range415(e.g., 30 degrees, 60 degrees) to determine whether device401is pointed consistent with destination403. For example, if the predefined angular range is 30 degrees, device401may determine that device401is held consistent with destination403if device is held at a position between −15 and +15 degrees with respect to an actual direction of destination403. If device401is held at a position outside of −15 and +15 degrees with respect to an actual direction of destination403, device401may not provide directional feedback to user402.

FIG. 5is a conceptual diagram that illustrates another example of how a device501may be used to provide directional feedback518to a user502, in accordance with the techniques of this disclosure. The example ofFIG. 5is substantially similar to the example ofFIG. 4, where device501is configured to provide directional feedback518to a user if device501is pointed consistent with destination504. However, unlike the example ofFIG. 4, device501depicted inFIG. 5may be further configured to provide feedback regarding a destination504, which is vertically displaced from user502. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, destination503is at a higher elevation than user502. For example, destination503may be on a different floor of a building than user504. According to this example, device501may be configured to detect that a user is pointing device at an angle of inclination with respect to reference plane519(e.g., the ground upon which user502is standing).

In some examples, device501may be configured to determine whether device501is pointed consistent with destination503based on comparison of a detected characteristic of device in space to one or more predetermined thresholds. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, device501may be configured to compare a detected characteristic such as an angle of elevation with respect to a reference plane519(e.g., using a gyroscope sensor234and/or accelerometer sensor238as described above) to a predefined vertical angular range515(e.g., 30 degrees, 60 degrees) to determine whether device501is pointed consistent with destination503. For example, if the predefined vertical angular range is 30 degrees, device501may determine that device501is held consistent with destination503if device is held at a position between −15 and +15 degrees with respect to an actual direction of destination503. If device501is held at a position outside of −15 and +15 degrees with respect to an actual direction of destination503, device501may not provide directional feedback to user502.

In some examples, device501may be configured to determine whether device501is held consistent with destination503both horizontally and vertically. According to these examples, device501may be configured to compare both a predefined vertical angular range515as depicted inFIG. 5, as well as a predefined horizontal angular range415as depicted inFIG. 4. If device501is held consistent with both of ranges515,415, device501may provide user501with directional feedback518.

FIG. 6is a flow diagram that illustrates one example of a method consistent with the techniques of this disclosure. As shown inFIG. 6, a mobile device (101) may identify (e.g., using user input module229) a desired physical destination (103) of a user (102) of the mobile device (601). For example, the mobile device may receive one or more direct (e.g., address, coordinate location) or indirect (e.g., place name, identification of other user) indications of a desired destination (103) of the user. As also shown inFIG. 6, the mobile device may detect (e.g., using sensor module228) an orientation and/or altitude (e.g., using one or more gyroscope234and/or accelerometer238sensors) of the mobile device in space, a direction in which at least one defined portion of the mobile device is pointed in space (e.g., using one or more magnetometer sensors236), and/or a geographic location of the mobile device (e.g., using one or more GPS sensors232) (602).

As also shown inFIG. 6, the mobile device (e.g., DFM221) may compare the detected orientation, direction, and geographic location of the mobile device to the identified desired physical destination of the user to determine whether the detected orientation, direction, and geographic location of the mobile device is consistent with the desired destination or path to the desired destination (603). According to one example, the mobile device may compare the detected orientation, direction, and geographic location of the mobile device to at least one predetermined threshold (e.g., predetermined horizontal angular range315,415, or predetermined vertical angular range515) to determine whether the detected orientation, direction, and geographic location of the mobile device is consistent with the desired destination or path to the desired destination.

As also shown inFIG. 6, the mobile device (e.g., DFM221) may, if the detected orientation, direction, and geographic location of the mobile device is consistent with the desired destination or path to the desired destination, provide the user with at least one indication that the detected orientation, direction, and geographic location of the mobile device is consistent with the desired physical destination or path to the desired physical destination (604). In some examples, the at least one indication may be a palpable indication that is easily recognizable by a user. For example, the at least one indication may be a vibration of the mobile phone, or emission of high intensity light configured to be easily recognizable by the user in many environments. In one example, device101may be equipped with one or more ancillary (e.g., non-display) light emitting elements, e.g., one or more high intensity strobe LED configured to provide a user with one or more palpable indications of directional feedback.

FIG. 7is a conceptual diagram that illustrates one example of device701configured to present a user with an option to activate directional feedback consistent with the techniques of this disclosure. In some cases, in order to reduce an amount of battery power (e.g., energy stored by battery226) consumed by device701, it may be desirable to limit operation of device701to provide directional feedback as described above. For example, it may be desirable for device701not to attempt to detect an orientation and/or altitude, direction and/or a geographic location of the mobile device, and/or to compare determined orientation and/or altitude, direction and/or a geographic location of the mobile device to a desired destination of a user unless the user desires to receive directional feedback.

As shown inFIG. 7, device701may be configured to provide a user with an option708(e.g., a selectable button presented using a device701display707, an external button of device701, a pull-down menu, or other form of user input) to select whether or not to activate directional feedback techniques as described herein. According to other examples not depicted inFIG. 7, device701may be configured to automatically determine when to activate directional feedback techniques as described herein. For example, device701may be configured to, based on one or more sensors of device (e.g., gyroscope sensor234, accelerometer238), whether device701has been removed from a user's pocket and/or whether device701is being held in a position/orientation that may indicate that the user desires directional feedback. For example, device701may be configured to determine whether a user is holding device701outwardly from the user, which may thereby indicate that the user desires directional feedback.

As another example, device701may include one or more touch-sensors, heat sensors, or other sensors configured to detect that device701is being held by the user. According to each of the examples described above, once it is determined that device701is being held by a user and/or that the device is being held in a position that may indicate that the user desires directional feedback, device701may automatically initiate determining whether a detected orientation, direction, and/or geographic location of the mobile device is consistent with the desired destination or path to the desired destination.

FIG. 8is a conceptual diagram that illustrates one example of a device801configured to present a user with an option to request assistance to locate a desired destination or a path to a desired destination consistent with the techniques of this disclosure. As described above, a device801as described herein may be configured to provide a user with directional feedback with regard to a path to a desired destination (as described with respect toFIG. 3), or to a desired destination itself (as described above with respect toFIGS. 4 and 5). As shown inFIG. 8, device801may be configured to provide a user with an option to receive directional feedback regarding either a path to a desired destination832or directional feedback regarding the desired destination itself843. In some non-limiting examples, a user option832,843as depicted inFIG. 8may include a selectable button presented via a device801display842, an external button of device801, a pull-down menu, or other form of user input.

The techniques described in this disclosure may also be embodied or encoded in a computer-readable medium, such as a computer-readable storage medium, containing instructions. Instructions embedded or encoded in a computer-readable medium, including a computer-readable storage medium, may cause one or more programmable processors, or other processors, to implement one or more of the techniques described herein, such as when instructions included or encoded in the computer-readable medium are executed by the one or more processors. Computer readable storage media may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc ROM (CD-ROM), a floppy disk, a cassette, magnetic media, optical media, or other computer readable media. In some examples, an article of manufacture may comprise one or more computer-readable storage media.