Google patents smartwatch guide for pointing your arm at satellites
Google describes a method where a wearable device, like a smartwatch, helps users connect to satellite networks. The device calculates the correct angle to point your arm toward a specific satellite and displays visual cues on the screen to guide you into the right position.
In the filing’s own words
A wearable computing device may receive a request to connect the wearable computing device to a non-terrestrial communication network. The computing device may identify a particular satellite associated with the non-terrestrial communication network. The computing device may determine a target orientation of the wearable computing device that includes a target azimuth of the wearable computing device and a target altitude of the wearable computing device. The computing device may output a graphical user interface that includes a first set of visual elements that are indicative of one or more of the target azimuth of the wearable computing device relative to a current azimuth of an arm of the wearer of the wearable computing device, or the target altitude of the wearable computing device relative to a current altitude of the arm of the wearer of the wearable computing device. The computing device may transmit data to the particular satellite.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method, comprising: while a wearable computing device is being worn by a wearer: receiving, by the wearable computing device, a request to connect the wearable computing device to a non-terrestrial communication network; identifying, by the wearable computing device, a particular satellite associated with the non-terrestrial communication network based at least in part on a location of the wearable computing device and information regarding one or more satellite constellations of the non-terrestrial communication network, where each satellite constellation of the one or more satellite constellations includes a plurality of satellites; determining, by the wearable computing device and based on a current location of the particular satellite, a target orientation of the wearable computing device that includes a target azimuth of the wearable computing device and a target altitude of the wearable computing device; outputting, for display by the wearable computing device, a graphical user interface that includes a first set of visual elements that are indicative of one or more of the target azimuth of the wearable computing device relative to a current azimuth of an arm of the wearer of the wearable computing device, or the target altitude of the wearable computing device relative to a current altitude of the arm of the wearer of the wearable computing device; and responsive to determining that the wearable computing device is in the target orientation, transmitting, by the wearable computing device, data to the particular satellite.
Facts
- Company
- Google (Google LLC)
- Official title
- WEARABLE COMPUTING DEVICE ALIGNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR NON-TERRESTRIAL COMMUNICATIONS
- Publication number
- US20260269931A1
- Application number
- 19071329
- Filed
- Mar 5, 2025
- Published
- Sep 10, 2026
- Inventors
- 10
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04B 7/18517 Electricity & electronicsH04W 4/026 Electricity & electronicsMore from Google in Wearables
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.