VIEWING DEVICE

• US 20150189160A1
• Filed: 12/31/2013
• Published: 07/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optelec Holding B.V.
• Original Assignee: Optelec B.V.
• Inventors: Auger, Robert, Vugts, Johannes Jacobus Antonius Maria, Illing, Ivar
• Granted Patent: US 9,832,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/008 using visual presentation of the information for the partially sighted
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces

Abstract

An apparatus to capture and display an image of an object includes a frame, at least one optical sensor for capturing the image of the object, means for moving the frame relative to a surface of the object in a first direction, and means for moving the optical sensor relative to the frame in a second direction.

Claims

1. Apparatus to capture and display an image of an object, said apparatus comprising:

a frame,

at least one optical sensor for capturing the image of the object,

means for moving the frame relative to a surface of the object in a first direction, and

means for moving the optical sensor relative to the frame in a second direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising:

a screen for displaying the image of the object.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the optical sensor and the screen move in tandem.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the optical sensor is attached to a back surface of the screen or to a plate positioned behind the screen.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second direction is parallel to the screen.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the screen is removable from the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the screen is integral with a tablet computer.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the screen is a touch screen.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, and further comprising:

controls connected to the frame and/or the screen for controlling the screen, movement of the apparatus and/or the optical sensor.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for moving the frame across a surface of the object in a first direction define a plane, and the screen has a first position generally parallel to the plane, and a second position at an angle to the plane.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for moving the frame relative to the surface of the object comprises at least one roller and/or at least one skid.

13. The apparatus of claim 12. wherein the at least one skid has upwardly curved ends and/or is provided with a low friction surface.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for moving the optical sensor relative to the frame comprises a slide.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising:

a lighting arrangement for lighting the object.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor can be movable relative to the frame.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising:

a second optical sensor which can be moveable relative to the frame.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the means for moving the frame across a surface of the object in a first direction and the means for moving the optical sensor relative to the frame in a second direction is motorized.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a photovoltaic panel for powering the apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus has a weight in the range of 700 grams to 10 kilograms.

11. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the angle is from 30 degrees to 70 degrees.

22. A device for displaying an image of an object, the device comprising:

a frame which can move across a surface of the object in a first direction;

a body connected to the frame and able to move in relation to the frame in a second direction; and

at least one optical sensor connected to the body.

23. The device of claim 22, and further comprising:

a screen connected to the body for displaying images from the optical sensor.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.

25. A method of forming a device for displaying an image of an object, the method comprising:

forming a frame which can move across a surface of the object; and

connecting a body with at least one optical sensor to the frame so that it can move in relation to the frame in a second direction.