Haptic navigation system, and related method, to provide road information or directions to a driver of a vehicle

Abstract

Haptic navigation system (10) comprising an electronic device (1) provided with a locating unit (11) and a processing unit (12) to provide data (3) relating to road directions and / or information. The navigation system (10) further comprises a haptic apparatus (2) provided with a control unit (2) to receive data from the processing unit (12) and generate a corresponding actuation signal, and at least two actuators (23) available at a respective driver's upper limb and configured to generate one or more haptic signals at the upper limb it is associated with, in relation to said actuation signal. In particular, each actuator (23) comprises a casing (24) containing the at least one actuator (23) and the control unit (22a, 22b), wherein each casing (24) comprises a shell (26) at least partially surrounding the actuator (23) made of damping material, thereby isolating it from the control unit (22a, 22b).

Description

[0001] TITLE: "Haptic navigation system, and related method, to provide road information or directions to a driver of a vehicle"

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of application

[0004] The object of the present invention finds useful use in the field of assisted navigation of a driver of a road vehicle, preferably motorcycles, scooters or bicycles.

[0005] It should be specified that in the context of the present invention, the term "navigation" is intended to mean that the driver of the vehicle is provided with road information (e.g. the occurrence of a danger point or condition, traffic information, and exceeding the permitted speed limit) in combination with or as an alternative to road signs (e.g., the turns to be made to reach a predetermined destination) while he / she is on board the vehicle.

[0006] Description of the prior art

[0007] Navigation systems for providing road directions or information to a driver of a vehicle are known in the prior art.

[0008] In particular, such systems provide for the use of optical directions and / or information projected by an electronic device, such as for example a satellite navigator or a smartphone, comprising a GPS receiver and a dedicated navigation application.

[0009] In addition, the known navigation systems may comprise loudspeakers, through which it is possible to provide auditory directions and / or information to the driver of the vehicle, complementing the optical ones. The known systems are therefore configured to navigate the driver of the vehicle by means of signals (stimuli) of an optical and auditory nature, that is, to conduct visual and vocal navigation.

[0010] In addition to the aforementioned systems, haptic navigation systems configured to provide a haptic feedback signal to the driver in the occurrence of a predetermined event, such as for example a turn, an accident, and excessive proximity of a vehicle, are known in the prior art.

[0011] By way of example, document US 2017249810 Al shows a garment including a receiver, configured to receive at least one encoded command from a notification generator, and at least one tactile feedback generator that provides tactile feedback to a user while he / she is wearing the garment during a transit, corresponding to at least one encoded command, wherein the notification generator is configured to determine a notification to be sent to the user in response to at least one event of interest determined by an input analyser.

[0012] Still document WO 2023012813 Al discloses a navigation system for a vehicle comprising a control unit configured to receive navigation data from a communication device and to send an activation command to a plurality of tactile actuators (110) arranged at two or more positions within the vehicle (10).

[0013] Finally, document US 2018040258 Al describes a device that is conformed to be worn on the human body in such a way that it rests directly on a part of the body. The device comprises at least one functional module, a wireless receiver and at least one tactile stimulation module. The wireless receiver is configured to receive instructions and activate the stimulation module to transmit tactile stimuli to the part of the body to which it is attached.

[0014] Problems of the prior art

[0015] However, such navigation systems for a driver of a vehicle have limitations.

[0016] In particular, the systems having the actuators inside the vehicle are limited in terms of adaptability. In fact, their use is not allowed outside the vehicle in which they are installed, not allowing the user to use the navigation system when for example a different vehicle is required.

[0017] Furthermore, the known navigation systems, even if portable, are limited as the vibrations generated by the plurality of actuators may not be adequately perceived by the driver during navigation. In fact, if the driver is travelling on a rough or dirt road, it is possible that the perception of the vibrations on the user's body is altered, thus increasing the risk of making navigation errors or not noticing possible risky situations while driving.

[0018] Furthermore, the use of electronic actuators configured to emit vibrations may cause excessive mechanical stress on more sensitive electronic components such as for example the processing unit, the power supply unit and any other electronic control components arranged near the actuators. This excessive mechanical stress due to the vibrations can compromise the correct operation of the elements described above and consequently, of the entire system, causing in the worst cases the definitive breakage of the components and their necessary replacement. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The object of the present invention is to obtain a navigation system configured to provide road directions and / or information to a driver of a vehicle able to overcome the limits of the prior art.

[0020] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system for drivers of vehicles that is safe, accurate and reliable, i.e. capable of providing unambiguous road directions and / or information to a driver of a vehicle without the latter having to look away from the road he / she or she is travelling.

[0021] Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation method for providing road directions and / or information to a driver of a vehicle that is safe.

[0022] These and further objects will be essentially achieved by a haptic navigation system and a related method configured to provide road directions and / or information to a driver of a vehicle in accordance with the technical characteristics described in one or more of the claims.

[0023] Advantages of the invention

[0024] Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a haptic navigation system and a related method capable of providing road directions and / or information to a driver by sending haptic signals directly to his / her body, in particular to his / her upper limbs.

[0025] Advantageously, the system and the method subject-matter of the present invention, by sending specific haptic signals directly to the driver's upper limbs depending on the route to be followed, allow to provide precise road directions and / or information to the driver, without him / her having to take his / her eyes off the road.

[0026] Advantageously, the system of the present invention allows to dissipate the propagation of the high frequency components of the vibrations due to one or more haptic signals generated by the actuator. This makes it possible to protect the electrical and electronic components, guaranteeing them a longer life and, at the same time, to improve the perception of the vibration once it reaches the user's body.

[0027] In particular, thanks to an embodiment, the system and the method subjectmatter of the present invention allows to warn the driver well in advance (i.e. at a predetermined distance) about the occurrence of a turning point and / or danger along the road route by means of specific haptic signals.

[0028] Furthermore, thanks to a further embodiment, the system and the method subject-matter of the present invention allow to modulate the haptic signal in terms of intensity and / or frequency in relation to the distance from said turning point and / or danger so as to gradually prepare him / her for a turning point and / or danger.

[0029] Still advantageously, according to an embodiment, through the presence of one or more sensors adapted to transduce a physical signal of movement, the system subject-matter of the present invention allows the driver to obtain information about the navigation system by means of one or more specific gestures that can be performed with the hands on the handlebar or steering wheel of the vehicle and, therefore, in total safety.

[0030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA WINGS The advantages and technical characteristics will be amply clear from the following detailed description of a preferred, and therefore non-limiting, embodiment of a system, and relating method, for providing road directions and / or information to a driver of a vehicle, in the set of drawings wherein:

[0031] - figure 1 shows a representative diagram of a haptic navigation system according to the present invention, in accordance with a first embodiment,

[0032] - figure 2 shows a representative diagram of a haptic navigation system, in accordance with an alternative embodiment,

[0033] - figure 3a shows a perspective view of a haptic apparatus of the navigation system of figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment,

[0034] - figure 3b shows a perspective view of a plurality of elements constituting the haptic apparatus of figure 3 a,

[0035] - figure 4a shows a sectional side view of the haptic apparatus of figure 2b,

[0036] - figure 4b shows a plurality of haptic devices in a use configuration in accordance with an embodiment,

[0037] - figure 5 shows a representative diagram of the electronic components of the haptic apparatus,

[0038] - figure 6 shows a block diagram of a method for providing road directions and / or information to a driver of a vehicle according to the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] As shown in figure 1, reference numeral 10 indicates a navigation system, in particular of the haptic type, configured to provide information or road directions to a driver of a vehicle.

[0040] In the context of the present invention, the term "vehicle" is intended to mean any means of movement provided with a plurality of wheels and a handlebar or a steering wheel, such as for example motor vehicles, motorcycles, scooters or bicycles. For the sake of simplicity of exposition, reference will be made in the following of this description to a motorcycle comprising two wheels and a handlebar, on which the left hand and the right hand of the driver hold their respective throttles.

[0041] The navigation system 10 comprises an electronic device 1 such as, for example, a smartphone or an on-board computer of the vehicle.

[0042] The electronic device 1 comprises a locating unit 11 configured to detect the driver’s position. Preferably, the locating unit 11 comprises a GPS receiver 111 capable of identifying in real time the driver’s position.

[0043] The electronic device 1 comprises a processing unit 12 in signal communication with the locating unit 11.

[0044] The processing unit 12 is also configured to provide data 3 in output relating to road directions and / or information during navigation depending on the driver’s position. For example, the data 3 may comprise road information such as warnings of accidents or dangers along the road route the driver is travelling, stretches where limited speed is required, areas of poor visibility, or heavy traffic conditions.

[0045] Examples of road directions will be given in the following of this description.

[0046] The navigation system 10 further comprises a haptic apparatus 2.

[0047] The haptic apparatus 2 comprises a control unit 22 in signal communication with the electronic device 1, configured to receive the data 3 from the processing unit 12 and to generate a corresponding actuation signal. Examples of corresponding actuation signals will be provided in a following part of this description.

[0048] In one embodiment, as visible in figures 1-2, 3b, 4a and 5, the haptic apparatus 2 comprises a power supply unit 21, provided for example with a battery, configured to provide electric power. Alternatively, the haptic apparatus 2, in particular the control unit 22, can be connected, for example by means of a USB or USB-C type connector, directly to the vehicle electronics in such a way as to receive an electric power from the latter.

[0049] Still alternatively, the haptic apparatus 2 may be electrically connected to an external power supply unit 21, such as for example a powerbank.

[0050] The haptic apparatus 2 further comprises at least two actuators 23 in signal communication with the control unit 22. Each actuator 23 is available at a driver’s upper limb and is configured to generate one or more haptic signals adapted to stimulate the upper limb it is associated with, according to said actuation signal. In other words, each actuator 23 can be arranged at a respective driver’s upper limb so as to be able to stimulate it with different haptic signals representative of the road direction and / or information encoded in the data 3.

[0051] During navigation, the control unit 22 then processes the data 3 received from the processing unit 12 of the electronic device 1 and, according to said data, generates the corresponding actuation signal that activates or not the relative actuator 23. When activated, each actuator 23 in turn generates one or more haptic signals that stimulate the corresponding limb.

[0052] In accordance with the present invention, each actuator 23 of the haptic apparatus 2 comprises a casing 24 containing it jointly with the respective control unit 22a, 22b. Preferably, the at least one casing 24 is made of polymer, such as for example thermoplastic polyurethane.

[0053] Furthermore, each casing 24 has a shell 26 at least partially surrounding the actuator 23 and made of damping material, thereby isolating it from the respective control unit 22a, 22b.

[0054] Advantageously, this allows to dissipate the propagation of the vibrations due to one or more haptic signals generated by the actuator 23, thus protecting the electrical and electronic components described above, such as the control unit 22 and, if present, the power supply unit 21. The shell 26 therefore allows the electrical and electronic components of the haptic apparatus 2 to be safeguarded, guaranteeing them a longer life. According to one aspect, the processing unit 12 of the electronic device 1 is further configured to process a road route adapted to take the driver from the position detected by the locating unit 11 to a destination preset by the driver him- / herself.

[0055] More preferably, the processing unit 12 is configured to process the fastest or shortest road route to bring the driver from the position detected by the locating unit 11 to the preset destination and to perform route recalculations if the driver misses the road.

[0056] It should be specified that the electronic device 1, in particular its processing unit 12, is configured to receive in input the (preset) destination, for example, through an input by typing or a voice command or by another electronic device (not represented by the figures).

[0057] In this embodiment, the data 3 may also comprise road directions relating to a plurality of turning points, such as for example a change of direction of the road that the driver is travelling (i.e. right turn or left turn), a roundabout or a junction.

[0058] Preferably, each actuator 23 comprises a vibro-motor or vibrating motor capable of generating a plurality of vibrations.

[0059] It should be noted that, in a use configuration, the actuators 23 are arranged at a relative driver’s upper limb in such a way as to identify the right and the left. That is to say that, as shown in figure 1, the navigation system 10, subject-matter of the present invention, comprises a first actuator 23a, configured to be placed at the right upper limb, and a second actuator 23b, configured to be placed on the left upper limb.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in figure 1, the haptic apparatus 2 comprises two control units 22, both in signal communication with the electronic device 1, such that a first control unit 22a is configured to send an actuation signal to the first actuator 23a and a second control unit 22b is configured to send an actuation signal to the second actuator 23b. Alternatively, as shown in the navigation system 10 of figure 2, the haptic apparatus 2 comprises a single control unit 22 in signal communication with the first and second actuators 23a, 23b.

[0061] The navigation system 10 subject-matter of the present description, by selectively stimulating the right and / or left upper limb by means of haptic signals according to the data 3 provided in output by the processing unit 12, provides certain road directions and / or information.

[0062] For example, if the road route processed by the processing unit 12 of the electronic device 1 envisages a right turn, at that turn, the data 3 generated by the processing unit 12 contains information about that right turn and, therefore, the actuation signal generated by the control unit 22 (or by the first control unit 22a) of the haptic apparatus 2 will result in the activation of the first actuator 23a (i.e. haptic apparatus 2 arranged on the upper right limb) only. The driver by perceiving the haptic signal on the right upper limb will then promptly understand that he / she must turn to the right.

[0063] Still by way of example, if the road route processed by the processing unit 12 of the electronic device 1 envisages a roundabout, at that roundabout, the data 3 generated by the processing unit 12 contain information relating to the number of the exit of the roundabout to be taken and, therefore, the actuation signal generated by the control unit 22 of the haptic apparatus 2 will involve activating the respective actuators 23 in such a way that the number of haptic signals generated is equal to the number of the exit at which the driver must turn.

[0064] The processing unit 12 is also configured to identify a plurality of turning points, (e.g. left / right turns, roundabouts or junctions) and / or danger points (e.g. route stretches where a limited speed is required, where there is poor visibility, or particularly busy stretches or points where accidents have occurred) along the road route.

[0065] Preferably, the processing unit 12 is configured to calculate the distance between the driver's position detected by the locating unit and such turning and / or danger points so as to be able to signal them to the driver sufficiently in advance.

[0066] Still preferably, the processing unit 12 is configured to identify different types of turning points and / or danger points and encode said types in the data 3 and the control unit 22 of the haptic apparatus 2 is configured to modulate the actuation signal in relation to the type and distance from said turning or danger points.

[0067] In other words, the control unit 22 of the haptic apparatus 2 is configured to process the received (read) data 3 and appropriately modulate the actuation signal in such a way as to allow the actuators 23 to generate specific haptic signals according to the data 3.

[0068] Advantageously, this allows the actuators 23 to generate specific haptic signals depending on the different types of turning points and / or danger points. In fact, the haptic signal generated by the actuators 23 of the haptic apparatus 2 can have a variable frequency and / or intensity regulated by the control unit 22, by means of, for example, a pulse width modulation, in relation to the type of turning or danger point and / or in relation to the distance that separates the driver from such points. In the embodiment in which pulse width modulation is used, thus exploiting the Duty Cycle (DC) regulation, it is possible to send an actuation signal to the actuators 23 which is modulated in such a way that they generate haptic signals having maximum frequency and / or intensity (100% DC), that they work at intermediate frequencies and / or intensities (0%<DC<100%) or that they are completely switched off (0% DC). By way of example, when the driver is at a distance of 400 metres from a turning point to the right, the control unit 22 of the haptic apparatus 2 generates an actuation signal that activates the first actuator 23a (right) of the haptic apparatus 2 arranged at the driver's right upper limb to in turn generate a haptic signal at a predetermined frequency and / or intensity. As the driver travels along the road route approaching the identified turning or danger point, the first actuator 23a generates a haptic signal having higher frequency and / or intensity.

[0069] Advantageously, this functionality not only allows the driver to know in advance the next turning point or danger, but also provides the driver with a qualitative perception of the distance to the latter in real time.

[0070] Note that, the term "modular" is understood to mean an adjustment of the output signal in relation to one or more predetermined input signals. That is to say that the term "modular", in the context of the present invention, can comprise, not only the adjustment, but also the switching on (activation) or off (deactivation) of the actuators 23 according to a predetermined read (received) input.

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, the data 3 comprises a control variable, defined for example as "Right VibrationState" and "LeftVibrationState". The processing unit 12 of the electronic device 1 is also configured to process the data 3 and to overwrite, depending on the road information and / or directions, a predetermined value ("0" or " 1") in the control variable (characteristic), according to which the value " 1 " corresponds to the activation of the first and / or second actuator 23b, 23b, while the value "0" corresponds to the deactivation of the first and / or second actuator 23b, 23b. The control unit 22 of the haptic apparatus 2 is configured to iteratively read (or in any other way receive) the value of said variable (characteristic) to modulate the corresponding actuation signal.

[0072] In other words, in use, the aforesaid data processing 3 can be carried out directly by the processing unit 12 of the electronic device 1. In this way, preferably, the control unit 22 of the haptic apparatus 2 is configured to send, to the corresponding first and / or second actuator 23a, 23b, an actuation signal that already takes into account such data processing 3 carried out by the processing unit 12 of the electronic device 1. This allows to limit the consumption of both the battery of the power supply unit 21 and the computing power of the control unit 22 of the haptic apparatus 2, since the computational effort due to the processing of the data 3 is not required to the control unit 22 of the haptic apparatus 2, but to the processing unit 12 of the electronic device 1.

[0073] Note that, in such an embodiment, the processing unit 12 of the electronic device 1 is configured to process a timing strategy with which each actuator 23 is activated or deactivated. Consequently, the processing unit 12 is configured to write the value "0" or "1" into the control variable "Right VibrationState" and "LeftVibrationState". Whenever this control variable is overwritten by the processing unit 12, the control unit 22 of the haptic apparatus 2, since it is constantly reading these variables, perceives the change and reads the new value written by the processing unit 12, activating or deactivating the first and / or second actuator 23a, 23b.

[0074] Regarding the timing strategy, according to a possible embodiment, the electronic device 1 comprises a maps application (e.g. Google Maps) and a timing application that receives road directions and / or information from the maps application depending on the driver's position and / or road route. The processing unit 12 is configured to execute the timing application which, depending on the road information and / or directions received from the maps application, processes an appropriate timing strategy to communicate the haptic signals to the driver with the right timing to allow him / her to make decisions (e.g. make a turn) calmly and safely.

[0075] It should be specified that the timing application may or may not be integrated into the maps application and that these can be stored either on a memory of the electronic device 1 or in the memories of further remote electronic devices (e.g. web servers).

[0076] Note that, in the representative diagram of figure 5, the haptic apparatus 2 preferably comprises a plurality of electronic elements, such as a converter C, preferably a DC-DC converter, and a transistor T, electrically connected to a resistor R, which are configured to comply with the electronic operating requirements of the at least one actuator 23. It is wished to specify that the transistor T and the converter C can be introduced and suitably chosen in relation to the type of actuator 23 selected. In alternative embodiments, the haptic apparatus 2 may comprise a protection circuit provided with a diode and a capacitor (not shown in the accompanying figures) that are connected in parallel. The haptic apparatus 2 preferably comprises a button 28 configured to allow the transmission of electrical power by the power supply unit 21 or the vehicle to the control unit 22 when the button 28 is pressed.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the haptic apparatus 2 comprises at least one sensor 27, in signal communication with the control unit 22, configured to transduce a physical signal of movement, such as for example the movement of the fingers of a driver’s upper limb. In this embodiment, the control unit 22 is also configured to send a predetermined command to the electronic device 1 in relation to the transduced physical signal of movement.

[0078] Preferably, the sensor 27 may comprise an array of sensors 27.

[0079] Still preferably, the sensor 27 is of the piezoelectric type, that is, it exploits the phenomenon of piezoelectricity according to which, certain materials, following an external stress, undergo a deformation that entails a migration of electric charges of the material itself (polarization). This migration in turn generates an electrical potential difference. Alternatively, use can be made of sensors 27 exploiting different technologies, such as for example piezoresi stive or infrared detection sensors 27.

[0080] In other words, the sensor 27 is a "gestural" sensor, thus capable of recognising a plurality of gestures on the basis of which a predetermined amount of information is returned by the electronic device 1 via a haptic signal. By way of example, by raising and / or lowering one or more fingers, the driver is able to obtain information about the power supply unit 21 of the haptic apparatus 2 by means of a number of haptic signals proportional to the residual percentage. Still by way of example, in the event that the electronic device is a smartphone, the driver, through a plurality of gestures recognized by the sensor 27 of the haptic apparatus 2, is able to dial an emergency number, know approximately the remaining time to reach the preset destination, interrupt or accept calls, know if he / she is along the correct route or, again, accept the proposal by the electronic device 1 to take a shorter alternative road route processed by the processing unit 12 of the electronic device 1.

[0081] Advantageously, this allows the driver to learn about information or carry out predefined actions without necessarily having to take his / her hands off the handlebar throttles of the vehicle, thus allowing greater control of the latter to the benefit of his / her safety.

[0082] According to a preferred aspect, the control unit 22 of the haptic apparatus 2 is in wireless signal communication with the electronic device 1. Preferably, the signal communication takes place using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, which allows data 3 to be shared in a virtual space, requiring a low energy commitment. This technology also makes it possible to reduce the spatial footprint given by the presence of any connection cables. Preferably, the control unit 22 of each electronic device 2 comprises an integrated BLE module.

[0083] In alternative embodiments, the control unit 22 can be placed in signal communication with the electronic device 1 by means of suitable connectors.

[0084] Two embodiments will be described in the following of the present detailed description. In a first embodiment, each actuator 23 of the haptic apparatus 2 comprises a cylindrical motor or a prismatic motor.

[0085] Alternatively, in a second embodiment, each actuator 23 of the haptic apparatus 2 comprises a plurality of pad motors, for example two or three pad motors, more preferably three pad motors.

[0086] In alternative embodiments (not illustrated below), the actuators 23 may comprise piezoelectric type motors.

[0087] Regardless of the type or number of actuators 23, the latter is preferably positioned at the back of the driver's hand, as it is both a sensitive anatomical point and capable of detecting even the mildest haptic signals without hindering the control of the vehicle's handlebars.

[0088] In the first embodiment, the cylindrical / prismatic motor is preferably positioned on the back of the hand with an orientation substantially perpendicular to the fingers of the hand itself.

[0089] In the second embodiment, the pad motors are positioned equidistantly from each other and arranged resting on the back of the driver's hand, preferably along a direction perpendicular to the fingers of the hand itself.

[0090] It should be noted that, in the second embodiment, the pad motors of the haptic apparatus 2 receive the same actuation signal from the corresponding control unit 22 so as to be activated and deactivated simultaneously. In other words, preferably, the three pad motors work as a single motor. Note that, alternatively, each motor of the plurality of pad motors described above may receive an actuation signal different from that received from the remaining motors of the plurality.

[0091] According to one aspect of the invention, as shown in figures 3 a and 4a, each actuator 23 comprises a base 25, which acts as an interface with the respective driver’s upper limb. This base 25, at the actuator 23, has an opening 251 to thus allow the actuator 23 to protrude and approach the driver’s upper limb (e.g. back of the hand) to which the respective actuator 23 is fixed to facilitate the transmission efficiency of haptic signals.

[0092] It should be specified that the actuators 23 are configured to be arranged both on a garment wearable by the driver at least in part at the upper limbs (e.g. gloves or sleeves of a motorcycle suit), and integrated therein. In the embodiment of figures 4b, each actuator 23 is mounted on the back of a respective motorcycle glove G, generally used for protection by a driver when on board the aforesaid vehicle.

[0093] According to one aspect, each actuator 23 is removably hookable to a motorcycle glove G.

[0094] In the embodiment of figure 4b, each actuator 23 comprises hooking elements 4 (e.g. hooking ties or bands) configured to removably hook it to the respective upper limb, or, to the glove G of a motorcycle.

[0095] Preferably, the base 25 comprises a plurality of slots 252, preferably arranged at the edge of the base 25 and having an extension parallel to the edge itself, wherein said hooking elements 4 are configured to be passed through. Preferably, said hooking elements 4 comprise a snap closure, such as for example Velcro, so that they can be easily hooked and unhooked.

[0096] According to a preferred embodiment, the hooking elements 4 are configured to remain mounted on the garment, in particular on a respective motorcycle glove G. In this embodiment, the actuators 23 and / or the sensors 27 and / or the entire casing 24 are mountable / dismountable on / from the hooking elements 4 by means of, for example, a quick release locking system.

[0097] According to one aspect of the invention, the electronic device 1 of the navigation system 10 is placed in signal communication with one or more sensors of the vehicle, such as for example radar sensors, adapted to transduce a physical signal of the occurrence of bodies in the proximity of the vehicle. Note that signal communication can take place directly with the vehicle's sensors, or indirectly through the electronics and relating software installed in the vehicle.

[0098] Preferably, the control unit 22 of the haptic apparatus 2 is configured to generate a further actuation signal of the respective actuator 23 in relation to the physical signal of occurrence transduced by the vehicle sensors.

[0099] In other words, the haptic apparatus 2 is able to send one or more haptic signals to the driver if the vehicle sensor detects the occurrence of external bodies in the proximity of the vehicle itself and in cases of imminent danger of collision.

[0100] Advantageously, this allows the driver to be alerted to external vehicles positioned in blind spots. Furthermore, the signal communication of the present navigation system 10 with the vehicle sensors allows to warn the driver if the latter is not respecting the driving distance or, again, in case of overtaking, the aforesaid communication between the present navigation system 10 and the vehicle sensors allows to signal to the driver the occurrence of vehicles approaching from his / her left during this manoeuvre.

[0101] A further object of the present invention is a method for providing road directions or information to a driver of a vehicle.

[0102] As shown in figure 6, the method according to the present invention comprises the step of a) providing a navigation system 10 in accordance with any of the embodiments described above and arranging each actuator 23 at a respective driver’s upper limb.

[0103] Subsequently, the method comprises the step of b) detecting the driver's position by means of the allocating unit of the electronic device 1.

[0104] The method also comprises the step of c) providing the haptic apparatus with 2 data 3 related to road directions and / or information during navigation according to the position detected in the previous step.

[0105] Finally, while the driver is travelling along the road route, the method comprises the step of d) generating during navigation, by means of at least one actuator 23 of the haptic apparatus 2, one or more haptic signals at the upper limb it is associated with according to the actuation signal generated by the control unit 22 of the haptic apparatus 2 based on the data 3 provided by the electronic device 1. This allows the driver to navigate long the road route providing him / her with road information and / or directions.

[0106] According to one aspect, upstream of step c), the method provides for: - acquiring a destination,

[0107] - processing a road route, by means of the processing unit 12 of the electronic device 1, to take the driver from the position detected by the locating unit 11 to the acquired destination, - identifying, by means of the processing unit 12, a plurality of turning points and / or danger points along the road route, and assigning to each turning and / or danger point a respective type,

[0108] - coding the types assigned to each turning and / or danger point into the data 3 when the driver’s position is in the proximity of the respective turning and / or danger point.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A haptic navigation system (10) configured to provide road information and / or directions to a driver of a vehicle, characterized by comprising:- an electronic device (1) comprising:- a locating unit (11) configured to detect the driver’s position;- a processing unit (12) configured to provide data (3) relating to road directions and / or information while the driver is in the vehicle and depending on the driver’s position;- a haptic apparatus (2) comprising:- a control unit (22) in signal communication with the electronic device (1), the control unit (22) being configured to receive data (3) from the processing unit (12), and to generate a corresponding actuation signal,- at least two actuators (23) in signal communication with the control unit (22), each actuator (23) being available at a respective driver’s upper limb, each actuator (23) being configured to generate one or more haptic signals at the upper limb it is associated with, in relation to said actuation signal characterized in that each actuator (23) of the haptic apparatus (2) comprises a casing (24) containing the at least one actuator (23) and the control unit (22a, 22b), each casing (24) comprising a shell (26) at least partially surrounding the actuator (23) and made of damping material, thereby isolating it from the respective control unit (22a, 22b).

2. The navigation system (10) according to claim 1, wherein:- the processing unit (12) of the electronic device (1) is configured to:- process a road route to take the driver from the position detected by the locating unit (11) to a preset destination,- identify a plurality of turning points and / or danger points along the road route, and calculate the distance between the driver’s position detected by the locating unit (11) and such turning and / or danger points,- assign to each turning and / or danger point a respective type, and code said type into data (3),- the control unit (22) of the haptic apparatus (2) being configured to modulate the actuation signal in relation to the assigned type and to the distance from said turning or danger points.

3. The navigation system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the data (3) comprise a control variable, the processing unit (12) of the electronic device (1) being also configured to process the data (3) and assign to the control variable a predetermined value according to the road directions and / or information, the control unit (22) of the haptic system (2) being configured to iteratively read the control variable value and modulate the actuation signal according to said value.

4. The navigation system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the haptic apparatus (2) comprises at least one sensor in signal communication with thecontrol unit (22), the sensor being configured to transduce a physical signal of movement, the control unit (22) being also configured to send a predetermined command to the electronic device (1) in relation to the transduced physical signal of movement.

5. The navigation system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (22) of the haptic apparatus (2) is in wireless or wired signal communication with the electronic device (1).

6. The navigation system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one actuator (23) of the haptic apparatus comprises a cylindrical / prismatic motor or a plurality of pad motors or a piezoelectric-type motor.

7. The navigation system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the haptic apparatus (2) comprises a first control unit (22a) and a second control unit (22b) in signal communication with the respective actuator (23).

8. The navigation system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each shell (26) is made of thermoplastic polyurethane.

9. The navigation system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each actuator (23) or the casing (24) comprises fastening means (4) configured to fasten it to the respective upper limb.

10. The navigation system (10) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 7, wherein at least the actuators (23) are integrated in a motorbike garment configured to be worn by the driver at least partially on the upper limbs.

11. The navigation system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- the electronic device (1) is placed in signal communication with one or more vehicle sensors adapted to transduce a physical signal of occurrence of bodies in the proximity of the vehicle,- the control unit (22) of the haptic apparatus (2) being configured to generate a further actuation signal in relation to the physical signal of occurrence transduced by the vehicle sensors.

12. A method to provide road directions or information to a driver of a vehicle, comprising the following steps: a) providing a navigation system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, and arranging each actuator (23) of the haptic apparatus (2) at a respective driver’s upper limb,b) detecting the driver’s position by means of the locating unit (11) of the electronic device (1), c) providing the haptic apparatus (2) with data (3) related to road directions and / or information when the driver is driving the vehicle according to the detected position, d) generating, by means of at least one of the two actuators (23) of the haptic apparatus (2), one or more haptic signals at the upper limb the actuator is associated with according to the actuation signal generated by the control unit (22) of the haptic apparatus (2) based on the data (3) provided by the electronic device (1).

13. The method according to claim 12, involving, upstream of step c):- acquiring a destination,- processing a road route, by means of the processing unit (12) of the electronic device (1), to take the driver from the position detected by the locating unit (11) to the acquired destination,- identifying, by means of the processing unit (12), a plurality of turning points and / or danger points along the road route, and assigning to each turning and / or danger point a respective type,- coding the types assigned to each turning and / or danger point into the data (3) when the driver’s position is in the proximity of the respective turning and / or danger point.

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