VISION ASSISTIVE DEVICES AND USER INTERFACES

• US 20130314593A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 11/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freedom Scientific Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Abisee, Inc.
• Inventors: Reznik, Leon, Lvovsky, Lev, Reznik, Helen, Ulanovsky, Levy
• Granted Patent: US 8,681,268 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/40 Scaling of whole images or parts thereof, e.g. expanding or contracting
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/008 using visual presentation of the information for the partially sighted
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00496 Constructional details of the interface or console not otherwise provided for, e.g. rotating or tilting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00559 Mounting or support of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00562 Supporting the apparatus as a whole, e.g. stands
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/19594 using a television camera or a still video camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums

Abstract

Vision assistive device and user interface are disclosed. In some embodiments, a vision assistive device includes a housing having a base for positioning the housing on a surface; one or more imaging units disposed along a top portion of the housing, each imaging unit being angled downward so a central axis of the imaging unit forms an acute angle with the surface so the imaging unit captures a target image from a target object; and a control system accommodated within the housing, the control system being connected to the one or more imaging units to process the target image captured by each imaging unit and to output the target image to a user.

Claims

1. A vision assistive device comprising:

a housing having a base for positioning the housing on a surface;

one or more imaging units disposed along a top portion of the housing, each imaging unit being angled downward so a central axis of the imaging unit forms an acute angle with the surface so the imaging unit captures a target image from a target object; and

a control system accommodated within the housing, the control system being connected to the one or more imaging units to process the target image captured by each imaging unit.

2. The vision assistive device of claim 1 wherein the one or more imaging units are positioned substantially over an edge of the target object positioned on the surface adjacent to the housing.

3. The vision assistive device of claim 1 comprising one imaging unit positioned in a center of the top portion of the housing.

4. The vision assistive device of claim 3 wherein the one imaging unit is configured to capture multiple portions of the target image with different focus positions and the control system is configured to combine the multiple portions.

5. The vision assistive device of claim 1 comprising two imaging units spaced apart from one another.

6. The vision assistive device of claim 5 wherein the two imaging units are configured to capture overlapping portions of the target image.

7. The vision assistive device of claim 6 wherein the control system is programmed to combine the overlapping portions.

8. The vision assistive device of a claim 1 further comprising one or more analog controls for controlling one or more functionalities of the vision assistive device.

9. The vision assistive device of claim 8 wherein the one or more functionalities are selected from the group consisting of an alarm clock, a calendar, a security surveillance, a digital frame, games, medication reminders and combinations thereof.

10. The vision assistive device of claim 1 further comprising a screen located between the base and the top portion of the housing for outputting the target image to the user.

11. The vision assistive device of claim 10 further comprising one or more rollers for scrolling through the target image displayed on the screen and enlarging desired portions of the target image.

12. The vision assistive device of claim 1 further comprising one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, motion detection sensor and combinations thereof

13. The vision assistive device of claim 1 wherein the device is configured to dispense medication.

14. A vision assistive device comprising:

a housing having a base for positioning the housing on a surface;

one or more imaging units configured to capture a target image from a target object positioned substantially perpendicular to the housing;

a screen integrated with the housing;

a control system accommodated within the housing, the control system being connected to the imaging units to process data corresponding to the image captured by the imaging units and to output the target image to a user on the screen.

15. The vision assistive device of claim 14 wherein the one or more imaging units are integrated with the housing.

16. The vision assistive device of claim 14 wherein the one or more imaging units are spaced away from the housing.

17. The vision assistive device of a claim 14 further comprising one or more analog controls for controlling one or more functionalities of the vision assistive device.

18. The vision assistive device of claim 17 wherein the one or more functionalities are selected from the group consisting of alarm clock, calendar, security surveillance, digital frame, games, medication reminders and combinations thereof.

19. The vision assistive device of claim 14 further comprising one or more rollers for scrolling through the target image displayed on the screen and enlarging desired portions of the target image.

20. A method for providing vision assistance, the method comprising:

disposing a housing substantially perpendicular to a surface, the housing including one or more imaging units and a control system;

capturing with the one or more imaging units a target image from a target object placed on the surface adjacent to the housing; and

processing the captured target image and outputting the target image on a screen integrated with the housing.