Swim Goggles with Haptic Navigation Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Open water swimmers face challenges in maintaining a consistent course during competitions due to the lack of underwater markings, leading to inefficient swims as they need to break stroke and look for buoys or course markers, resulting in distances being 10% to 20% longer than the actual course.
Innovation Solution
A navigation apparatus for swimmers comprising swim goggles with a navigation module and a navigational signal output mechanism, such as vibration modules, audio speakers, or light emitting devices, that provide directional cues based on GPS data to help maintain course alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If swimmers use traditional GPS tracking without real-time feedback, then the device can record location data, but the swimmer cannot maintain consistent course alignment without breaking stroke to check markers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback by providing directional cues through haptic vibration motors embedded in the swim goggles. The system continuously monitors GPS position and provides immediate tactile feedback when the swimmer deviates from the intended course, enabling continuous course correction without breaking stroke or visual contact with markers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual system of watching buoy markers with a electronic sensor-based system. GPS receivers and vibration motors substitute for the traditional method of visually tracking physical markers, allowing swimmers to maintain course through electronic guidance rather than mechanical visual reference.
2Loss of information
If swimmers break stroke to look for buoys or course markers, then they can see reference markers, but the swim distance increases by 10% to 20% beyond actual course distance
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback on course position through GPS tracking and immediate haptic notification when deviation occurs. This eliminates the need for periodic visual checks by providing constant awareness of position relative to the intended course, preventing the 10-20% distance inefficiency caused by repeated course corrections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous swimming action without interruption by providing continuous navigational guidance. The real-time GPS monitoring and immediate vibration feedback allow swimmers to maintain uninterrupted stroke and breathing patterns, eliminating the discontinuous breaking of stroke required to check markers.
3Loss of information
If swimmers wait for waves to lift them high enough to see reference markers in rough waters, then they can locate buoys, but navigation time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual-mechanical method of waiting for wave action to expose markers with an electronic GPS-based positioning system. The GPS receiver continuously determines position regardless of wave conditions, and the vibration motor provides feedback independent of visual visibility, eliminating the time loss associated with waiting for favorable wave conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback on course position through haptic vibration regardless of wave conditions or marker visibility. This continuous feedback mechanism eliminates the intermittent nature of visual marker detection that requires waiting for waves to provide viewing opportunities.
4Stability of the object's composition
If swimmers use visual markers for course guidance, then they can maintain heading, but the method requires breaking stroke and lifting head out of water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the visual-mechanical marker system with an electronic GPS and haptic feedback system. The GPS receiver continuously tracks position and the vibration motor provides directional guidance, replacing the need for visual acquisition of markers while maintaining heading consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback on heading accuracy through haptic vibration cues that indicate when course correction is needed. This maintains heading consistency through immediate tactile guidance rather than periodic visual verification, allowing swimmers to maintain continuous swimming without breaking stroke.
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 swimmers to follow a prepared course with reduced effort, improving navigation efficiency and reducing the distance swum by providing real-time directional feedback, thus enhancing performance and reducing course deviation.
Implementation Method 1
a GPS engine, which provides global positioning coordinate data to the controller
Implementation Method 2
The navigational signal output mechanism is a pair of vibration modules
Implementation Method 3
the navigational signal output mechanism includes a pair of swimmers ear plugs each including an audio speaker
Implementation Method 4
the navigational signal output mechanism includes a pair of light emitting devices with one of the pair of light emitting devices disposed on each of two lenses of the swim goggles
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
An open water navigation apparatus for use by a swimmer, the navigation apparatus includes a pair of swim goggles having a right lens, a left lens, and a head strap, a navigation module retained on the head strap of the pair of swim goggles, and a navigational signal output mechanism connected for signal communications to the navigation module.