GPS Swimming Watch Haptic Navigation for Visually Impaired
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Visually impaired swimmers face challenges in navigating swimming pools and open waters due to their dependence on human assistance, which is impractical and unsafe, especially in competitions and open water environments where support is not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A GPS directional swimming watch that provides haptic feedback and incorporates a magnetized compass, allowing visually impaired swimmers to set and navigate routes independently by receiving directional signals through mechanical inputs and haptic feedback, enabling them to swim without relying on a tapper or human assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tapper is used to assist visually impaired swimmers, then directional guidance is provided, but the swimmer becomes dependent on another person and swimming performance is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tapper function from the human assistant and integrates it into a wearable device worn by the swimmer. The device includes a compass, GPS receiver, and haptic feedback motor that together provide directional guidance without requiring another person. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation while eliminating the performance impairment caused by human assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the visually impaired swimmer to navigate independently using the wearable device. The device autonomously provides directional information through haptic feedback based on GPS and compass data, allowing the swimmer to orient themselves without external assistance. This eliminates dependency on a tapper while maintaining directional guidance capability.
2Ease of operation
If a tapper is used to assist visually impaired swimmers, then directional signals are received, but the solution is infeasible in open water environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a device that functions in multiple environments (pools and open water). The wearable includes GPS receiver for location tracking, magnetometer/compass for directional sensing, and haptic feedback motor for signaling. These components work together to provide environmental adaptability, allowing the same device to assist swimmers in both pool and open water settings without requiring a tapper.
3Extent of automation
If GPS and haptic feedback are integrated in the watch, then independence is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (GPS reception, compass orientation, haptic feedback) into a single wearable device worn on the wrist. This consolidation achieves a high extent of automation for independent navigation while managing device complexity by integrating components rather than using separate systems. The merged device provides all necessary navigation capabilities in one unit that the swimmer can wear and operate independently.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables visually impaired swimmers to swim with increased independence and safety in various aquatic environments, improving their training and competitive performance by providing real-time directional information and emergency navigation assistance.
Implementation Method 1
a haptic feedback motor having a magnetized compass integrated therein to signal a wearer directional information
Implementation Method 2
a haptic feedback motor having a magnetized compass integrated therein to signal a wearer directional information
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided systems, methods, and apparatuses for implementing a GPS directional swimming watch for the eyesight impaired. For example, according to one embodiment there is a wearable navigational apparatus including: a mechanical input to receive coordinates for a first location located at an end of a first fixed segment originating from an starting point in a first single cardinal direction; a mechanical input to receive coordinates for a second location located at the end of a second fixed segment originating from the first location in a second single cardinal direction perpendicular to the first cardinal direction, in which the first and second fixed segments form a selected route; a haptic feedback motor having a magnetized compass integrated therein to signal a wearer directional information relative to the first and second locations set, in which the hepatic feedback motor signals the wearer to change direction upon any of: (i) reaching the first location, (ii) reaching the second location, and (iii) deviating from any point along the selected route during bidirectional navigation; and a return function to signal to the wearer, via the haptic feedback motor, directional information relative to the starting point from any point along the selected course. Other related embodiments are described.