Patent Publication Number: US-2018052004-A1

Title: Wearable navigation interface system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Prov. Pat. Appl. No. 62/355,815, entitled “Navigation Motorcycle Glove,” filed Jun. 28, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to personal navigation devices and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and devices that synchronize with a GPS mapping system and that provide navigation prompts and information by means of an easy-to-use and easy-to-view interface integrated into a wearable glove or similar garment item usable by a motorcyclist or cyclist while riding. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Based on survey and market data available from 2009, there were over 11 million motorcycles in use by over 26 million riders in the United States. That number has grown each year thereafter and is expected to continue to rise in the future. 
     Although many GPS and mapping applications have been developed for use on mobile devices and for mounting or installation in automobiles to help drivers navigate the roads, such solutions do not work as well for bike riders, 4-wheelers, or motorcyclists. Current mapping applications on mobile devices for use by vehicle drivers include Google Maps and Waze, to mention a few. In addition, most automobiles now either have navigation mapping systems built into the vehicle dashboard or make use of a portable navigation system, such as those offered by Garmin and similar manufacturers. Almost all of these solutions use a display screen that illustrates a scalable map and that shows the location, using GPS data, of the device/vehicle on that map. Most of these solutions also enable the user to select a destination and then have the map show or audibilize route instructions as the device/vehicle travels from a starting or current location to the selected destination. 
     Such solutions, however, are less than ideal for motorcyclists, bikers, cyclists, 4-wheel drivers, and other drivers of similar vehicles in which the driver is typically exposed to the environment or that typically require the driver to use both hands to steer the vehicle using handlebars. Because safe handling of a motorcycle and similar vehicles generally requires use of both hands and since most motorcyclists wear gloves for warmth or grip, active visual reliance upon an navigation application running on a mobile device is not practical. Although high end motorcycles may offer a small, built-in navigation system/display and even though existing portable navigation systems can be mounted onto the dashboard or handlebars, such systems tend to be expensive and harder to view and use for a motorcyclist while riding as compared to an automobile driver or passenger. 
     Typically, motorcyclists have had to adapt to the current lack of solutions in a number of different ways. For example, many motorcyclists rely on memorization. They study a map before they go somewhere and memorize the route. If they forget or get lost, they then have to pull over and re-consult the navigation application on their mobile device. Alternatively, some motorcyclist put their mobile device in a tank bag that has see-through plastic. Although the tank bag keeps the mobile device safe from weather and being dropped, such a bag is not aesthetically pleasing and still requires the motorcyclist to view and interact with a display screen, while riding, and while dealing with sun glare on the screen or on the plastic cover. In another alternative, a biker can merely follow someone else, in another vehicle or on another bike, who knows the route. 
     Thus, there remains a need in the market for a portable navigation device and system designed specifically for use by motorcyclists and, particularly, for a portable navigation device that is wearable and easy to view and use by a motorcyclist while riding. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to personal navigation devices and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and devices that synchronize with a GPS mapping system. In a preferred embodiment, the methods, systems, and devices provide navigation prompts and information by means of an easy-to-use and easy-to-view non-display screen interface that is integrated into the back of a wearable glove or similar garment item and that is usable in a safe manner by a motorcyclist while riding. 
     Preferably, the motorcyclist&#39;s glove disclosed and described herein includes a processor, a wireless communication component, an LED arrangement, and software installed in memory thereon to enable the glove to establish a wireless communication with a navigation control device, such as a mobile phone having a suitable navigation application installed thereon whereby navigation prompts and information can be displayed to the motorcyclist while riding in a manner that is safe and easy to use. 
     Preferably, the motorcycle glove disclosed and described herein includes a Bluetooth LE module that is insertable within a pocket formed on the back of the glove. The LE module syncs with a navigation system, such as Google Maps, Waze, or the like, installed and running on the rider&#39;s phone or mobile device. The module has LED lights that will show the rider which way to turn based on navigation information provided by the synched navigation app. 
     Putting the LED arrangement on the back of a glove allows a motorcyclist to use and view the navigation prompts and information while riding and without requiring the user to remove his grip on the handlebars. A watch or other garment or accessory does not provide such ease of use since, for example, a watch requires the user to twist his wrist to view the display or pull up his jacket sleeve. 
     Preferably, the pocket on the back of the glove is accessible to enable the LED arrangement to be inserted or removed, if necessary. The pocket preferably has one or more see-through windows to enable the entire LED arrangement to be visible therethrough. The LED arrangement can be in any suitable form, such as a circle of LEDs, a row of LEDs, a grid of LEDs, or different combinations of the above. 
     Electronic switches are preferably integrated into the finger tip and thumb tip portions of the glove to enable the user to switch the navigation system on and off and to switch or toggle between different navigation functions by touching one or more selected fingertips to the thumb tip without requiring the user to remove his glove hand from the handlebars while riding. Preferably, conductive thread having a clip attachment would be sewn or glued in the glove pocket to hold the navigation device and to make contact with conductive threads that extend to each fingertip of the glove. 
     Providing a notification pattern or visual cue on the LED arrangement to get the attention of the rider before providing navigation prompts or information minimizes distractions and unnecessary duplication of views toward the LED arrangement and reduces the risk that important information is missed each time it is sent to the glove. 
     Having discrete light patterns that indicate turn directions, proximity to the next navigation event, compass information, altitude, and other navigation information allows a user to obtain necessary or desired navigation information without having to view an actual display screen or map while driving and without having to pull over and access the user&#39;s mobile device. Such light patterns are preferably pre-set by default but can also be customized by the user, if desired. Such animation light patterns make navigations direction more clear and easy to determine with less distraction to the rider. 
     For example, the LED arrangement preferably includes light patterns to indicate the next navigation event and turn directions (e.g., continue straight, veer right or left, turn right or left, or make a U-turn, etc.). In addition, the LED arrangement preferably includes light patterns that provide distance information to the next navigation event. For example, the number of LEDs that light up when distance information is being provided can indicate distances to the next navigation event. Such distances can be provided on a linear scale (e.g., each LED indicating 0.5 miles) or on an exponential scale (e.g., 1-2 LEDs indicating a range under a few hundred feet while the maximum number of LEDs can indicate a range in excess of X number of miles). Alternatively (or in combination with the number of LEDs that light up), flashing lights of different speeds or rates or in different, selected light patterns can be used to indicate the proximity to the next navigation event. For example, the LEDs can begin to blink faster and faster, until they remain in an “on” state, as the rider approaches the next navigation event that requires an action. In addition, different colored lights can be used to provide different information. For example, green lights could be used to indicate that the rider is on the correct route, yellow lights could indicate that a navigation even is coming up, and red lights could indicate that the navigation event has arrived or been passed. But, again, the options for how colors, light brightness, blinking or flashing effects, etc. are used are infinite and, preferably, can be customized by the user based on the user&#39;s preferences. 
     These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figure and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawing and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the embodiments, there is shown in the drawings example constructions of the embodiments; however, the embodiments are not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In addition, further features and benefits of the present technology will be apparent from a detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein similar elements are referred to with similar reference numbers, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a high level view of the navigation system described herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a close up view of the back side of a wearable glove and navigation display component for use with the navigation system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a close up view of the palm side of the wearable glove of  FIG. 2  and fingertip switches useful for selecting functions associated with the navigation system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary navigation display component for use with the wearable glove of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; and 
         FIGS. 5-7  illustrate alternative navigation display components for use with the wearable glove of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention relates generally to personal navigation devices and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and devices that synchronize with a GPS mapping system. In a preferred embodiment, the methods, systems, and devices provide navigation prompts and information by means of an easy-to-use and easy-to-view non-display screen interface that is integrated into the back of a wearable glove or similar garment item and that is usable in a safe manner by a motorcyclist while riding. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a preferred navigation system  100  includes a wearable navigation garment, such as a glove  150 , as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, that is usable by a rider of a motorcycle or other vehicle (not shown). The wearable navigation glove  150  includes a navigation display component  160  integrated into the back side of the glove  150  or insertable into a see-through pocket  170  positioned on the back side of the glove  150 . The navigation display component  160  preferably includes easy-to-read lights/LEDs or similar programmable and intuitive navigation prompts, rather than a conventional mobile device screen or map display. Having navigation prompts and information provided by LEDs on the back side of the rider&#39;s hand or glove is much easier to use and view by the rider while riding as compared to trying to read a conventional mobile device display screen or map interface mounted on the vehicle dashboard or held in the rider&#39;s hand while actively trying to ride. 
     Preferably, the navigation display component  160  includes a computer processor, an LED or light arrangement, a low voltage power supply, such as a battery, navigation prompting software installed in memory and controlled by the computer processor, and a wireless communication component, all of which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The navigation prompting software on the glove establishes and uses a wireless or Bluetooth communication channel  165  to communicate and synchronize with a navigation control device  175 , such as a mobile phone of the rider of a vehicle. Preferably, the navigation control device  175  includes a suitable navigation software application installed thereon. The navigation software application can be conventional, such as Google Maps, Waze, or other known navigation software, or it can be a customized application designed for use specifically with the navigation display component  160 . The navigation control device  175  preferably includes conventional mobile communication components and global positioning system (GPS) components for communication with cellular towers  185  and GPS satellites  195  so that the navigation control device  175  can accurately determine its current geographic location and make use of the mapping functions provided by the navigation software. 
     Preferably, using such GPS information, the navigation software installed on the navigation control device  175  is used to identify the current location of the navigation control device  175  and to map the route from the current location to the desired destination or end location to which the user wants to reach. Instead of using the conventional map display of the navigation software on the display screen of the navigation control device  175 , relevant information regarding the current user&#39;s location, such as compass/directional information, altitude, and the like, and relevant route information needed by the rider to determine the current direction the rider should be travelling and the next turning or change point (direction and distance to that change point) at which the rider will need to change direction or road, is transmitted from the navigation control device  175  to the navigation display component  160 . Suitable data requests, such as may be obtained using API calls or commands, may be made by the navigation prompting software associated with the navigation display component  160  to the navigation software installed on the navigation control device  175 . As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, all of the navigation prompting software may be installed and residing in memory of the navigation display component  160  or the navigation prompting software can be installed as two separate components, one in memory of the navigation display component  160  and one installed on the navigation control device  175 , to facilitate obtaining and transmission of the relevant (and limited) information needed from the navigation software by the navigation display component  160 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a close-up view of the back side of the wearable navigation glove  150  shown in  FIG. 1 . The navigation display component  160  is shown inserted into a see-through pocket  170  positioned on the back side of the glove  150 . As stated above, the navigation display component  160  synchronizes with the navigation software application on the navigation control device  175 . Preferably, the navigation display component  160  includes an LED arrangement  180  that instructs the rider which way to turn based on the navigation information obtained from the synchronized navigation software application. Putting the LED or light arrangement  180  on the back of the glove  150  allows a motorcyclist to use and view the navigation prompts and information while riding and without requiring the user to remove his grip on the handlebars. A watch or other garment or accessory does not provide such ease of use since, for example, a watch requires the user to twist his wrist to view the display or pull up his jacket sleeve. 
     Preferably, the pocket  170  on the back of the glove is accessible to enable the navigation display component  160  to be inserted or removed, as necessary. The pocket  170  preferably has one or more see-through windows to enable the entire LED arrangement  180  to be visible therethrough. The LED arrangement  180  can be in any suitable form, such as a circle of LEDs (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), a row of LEDs, a grid of LEDs, or different combinations of the above, some of which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a close-up view of the palm side of the wearable navigation glove  150  shown in  FIG. 1 . Electronic switches  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340 , and  350  are preferably integrated into the finger tip and thumb tip portions of the glove  150  to enable the user to switch the navigation system  100  on and off and to switch or toggle between different navigation functions by touching one or more selected fingertips to the thumb tip without requiring the user to remove his glove hand from the handlebars while riding. Preferably, conductive thread having a clip attachment are sewn or glued inside the lining of the glove  150  and run from the navigation display component  160  along and to each fingertip of the glove  150 . 
     Providing a notification pattern or visual cue on the LED arrangement  180  to get the attention of the rider before providing navigation prompts or information minimizes distractions and unnecessary duplication of views toward the LED arrangement and reduces the risk that important information is missed each time it is sent to the glove. 
     Having discrete light patterns that indicate turn directions, proximity to the next navigation event, compass information, altitude, and other navigation information allows a user to obtain necessary or desired navigation information without having to view an actual display screen or map while riding and without having to pull over and access the rider&#39;s mobile device. Such light patterns are preferably pre-set by default but can also be customized by the user, if desired. Such animation light patterns make navigation directions more clear and easy to determine with less distraction to the rider. 
     For example, the LED arrangement  180  preferably includes an initial “notification” light pattern to let the rider know that the next navigation event and turn directions (e.g., continue straight, veer right or left, turn right or left, or make a U-turn, etc.) are about to be provided. In addition, the LED arrangement  180  preferably includes light patterns that provide distance information to the next navigation event. For example, the number of LEDs that light up when distance information is being provided can indicate distances to the next navigation event. Such distances can be provided on a linear scale (e.g., each LED indicating 0.5 miles) or on an exponential scale (e.g., 1-2 LEDs indicating a range under a few hundred feet while the maximum number of LEDs can indicate a range in excess of X number of miles). Alternatively (or in combination with the number of LEDs that light up), flashing lights of different speeds or rates or in different, selected light patterns can be used to indicate the proximity to the next navigation event. For example, the LEDs can begin to blink faster and faster, until they remain in an “on” state, as the rider approaches the next navigation event that requires an action. In addition, different colored lights can be used to provide different information. For example, green lights could be used to indicate that the rider is on the correct route, yellow lights could indicate that a navigation event is coming up, and red lights could indicate that the navigation event has arrived or been passed. But, again, the options for how colors, light brightness, blinking or flashing effects, etc. are used are infinite and, preferably, can be customized by the user based on the user&#39;s preferences. 
     Several specific examples of LED prompts are described hereinafter—for illustrative purposes only. As stated above, the LED arrangement  180  preferably includes an initial “notification” light pattern to let the rider know that the next navigation event and turn directions are about to be provided. An initial notification light pattern can be any pre-arranged lighting of the plurality of lights on the LED arrangement  180 . A preferred light arrangement  400  of the LED arrangement  180  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . As shown, the preferred light arrangement  400  includes a plurality of LEDs, with LED  410  at the noon position, LED  430  at the 3 o&#39;clock position, LED  450  at the 6 o&#39;clock position, and LED  470  at the 9 o&#39;clock position. Two central, circular lights  435 ,  455  are optionally included within the circle formed by the LEDs. These central, circular lights can be lit up to help attract the attention of the rider as part of the “notification” light pattern or they can be used in conjunction with any of the other navigation functions described herein. LEDs  422 ,  425 ,  428  are positioned in clockwise order between LEDs  410  and  430 . LEDs  442 ,  445 ,  448  are positioned in clockwise order between LEDs  430  and  450 . LEDs  462 ,  465 ,  468  are positioned in clockwise order between LEDs  450  and  470 . LEDs  492 ,  495 ,  498  are positioned in clockwise order between LEDs  470  and  410 . 
     In one embodiment, a “go straight” sequence is indicated, after the initial “notification” light pattern, with LED  450  lit opposite the lighting of five LEDs  410 ,  498 ,  422 ,  495 , and  425 . The five LEDs are then reduced to three LEDs  410 ,  498 , and  422 , and then by a single LED  410 . Preferably, LED  450  is lit more dimly than the lights at the top or noon position. In some embodiments, if colored lighting is available, the top five lights would be lit in green rather than white. 
     A “go left” sequence can be similarly displayed, after the initial “notification” light pattern, with LED  430  lit opposite the lighting of five LEDs  470 ,  468 ,  492 ,  465 , and  495 . The five LEDs are then reduced to three LEDs  470 ,  468 , and  492 , and then by a single LED  470 . Preferably, LED  430  is lit more dimly than the lights at the left or 9 o&#39;clock position. Colored lights are again, optionally, used. 
     A “go right” sequence can be similarly displayed, after the initial “notification” light pattern, with LED  470  lit opposite the lighting of five LEDs  430 ,  428 ,  442 ,  425 , and  445 . The five LEDs are then reduced to three LEDs  430 ,  428 , and  442 , and then by a single LED  430 . Preferably, LED  470  is lit more dimly than the lights at the right or 3 o&#39;clock position. Colored lights are again, optionally, used. 
     A “U turn” sequence can also be displayed, after the initial “notification” light pattern, with LED  450  lit brightly in an “on” or “blinking” pattern. A plurality of (from three to five) LEDs  410 ,  498 ,  496  (and optionally  422 ,  425 ) are initially lit and then sequenced in counter-clockwise pattern around to the brightly lit LED  450 . Preferably, as one new LED is lit in counter-clockwise sequence, the furthest LED in the clockwise position is turned off. The LEDs rotate toward the LED  450 . The rotating lights indicate the direction of the U-turn. 
     Turning back to  FIG. 3 , touching of specific switches are used to activate different functions of the preferred navigation system  100 . Specifically, thumb switch  310  can be touched in a single or double tap with any of the fingertip switches  320 ,  330 ,  340 , and  350  to activate different predefined functions. For example, a double tap between thumb switch  310  and index finger switch  320  can be used to toggle the preferred navigation system  100  on and off. A single tap between thumb switch  310  and index finger switch  320  can be used to request that the navigation display component  160  indicate the distance to the next navigation event. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a sequence of LEDs displayed, in clockwise order, starting with LED  470  and extending around the LED arrangement can be used to indicate the distance to the next navigation event. Each LED can be used to represent a specific distance in a linear fashion (e.g., each LED representing 0.5 mile increments, or each LED can be used to represent an exponentially further distance. Alternatively, distance can be represented by the brightness of the LEDs, the color of the LEDs, a blinking pattern represented by the LEDs, or some combination of one or more of the above. 
     Additionally, thumb switch  310  can be touched in a single or double tap with a different fingertip switch, such as pinky switch  350 , to activate other predefined functions. For example, a single tap between thumb switch  310  and pinky finger switch  350  can be used to request that the navigation display component  160  display a compass, with true north being indicated by a lit LED. A double tap between thumb switch  310  and pinky finger switch  350  can be used to request that the navigation display component  160  display the current altitude. As shown in  FIG. 4 , a sequence of LEDs displayed, in clockwise order, starting with LED  470  and extending around the LED arrangement can be used to indicate the altitude. Each LED can be used to represent a specific distance (e.g., 1000 ft. increments, in a linear fashion or each LED can be used to represent an exponentially further distance). 
     Additionally, thumb switch  310  can be touched in a single or double tap with middle finger switch  330  or ring finger switch  340  to interact with an application running on the navigation control device  175 , such as a music playback application. A single tap with middle finger switch  330  can be used to advance to the next song playing on the device; a double tap can be used to advance a predetermined number of seconds within the current song. Similarly, single tap with ring finger switch  340  can be used to skip back to the previous song prior to the one playing on the device; a double tap can be used to rewind a predetermined number of seconds within the current song. 
     Alternative LED arrangement configurations are illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 . For example, LED arrangement  500  of  FIG. 5  provides a simple LED scale  510 , which can be used to indicate distance, range, or altitude, or the like. The scale can be linear or exponential, as described above. This LED arrangement  500  includes directional LED arrows, with LED  520  indicate north or straight ahead, with LED  530  indicating right turn, with LED  540  indicating left turn, and with LED  550  indicating a U-turn. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an LED arrangement  600  in which the directions are illustrated by a triangle of 3 LEDs, with LED  620  indicating north or straight ahead, with LED  630  indicating right turn, with LED  640  indicating left turn, and with LED  650  indicating a U-turn. Scale can be indicated by the number of LEDs lit and by how far the LEDs are lit from the starting point LED, such as the outermost LED  642  at the none o&#39;clock position. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an LED arrangement  700 , which is similar to the LED arrangement  600  from  FIG. 6 ; however, the directions are illustrated by a triangle of 6 LEDs, with LED  720  indicating north or straight ahead, with LED  730  indicating right turn, with LED  740  indicating left turn, and with LED  750  indicating a U-turn. Scale can again be indicated by the number of LEDs lit (or rows of LEDs lit) and by how far the LEDs are lit in clockwise fashion around the LED arrangement from the starting point LED, such as the outermost LED  742  at the none o&#39;clock position. 
     In view of the foregoing detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, it readily will be understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility and application. While various aspects have been described herein, additional aspects, features, and methodologies of the present invention will be readily discernable therefrom. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements and methodologies, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Furthermore, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes described and claimed herein are those considered to be the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. It should also be understood that, although steps of various processes may be shown and described as being in a preferred sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent a specific indication of such to achieve a particular intended result. In most cases, the steps of such processes may be carried out in various different sequences and orders, while still falling within the scope of the present inventions. In addition, some steps may be carried out simultaneously. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended nor is to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.