Electronic vision aid device

• US 5,060,062 A
• Filed: 05/02/1990
• Issued: 10/22/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert S. Dotson
• Original Assignee: Robert S. Dotson
• Inventors: Dotson, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US07/517,830
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 358/94, 358/3, 358/93, 358/88, 358/90, 358/91, 358/92, 358/108, 351/201, 351/202, 351/203, 351/158
• US Class Current: 348/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/08 Devices or methods enabling eye-patients to replace direct visual perception by another kind of perception
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0123 comprising devices increasing the field of view
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0132 comprising binocular systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/16 Shades; shields; Obturators, e.g. with pinhole, with slot G02C5/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/165 with stenopaeic apertures
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/008 using visual presentation of the information for the partially sighted
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/122 Improving the 3D impression of stereoscopic images by modifying image signal contents, e.g. by filtering or adding monoscopic depth cues H04N13/128 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/189 Recording image signals; Reproducing recorded image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/344 with head-mounted left-right displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/383 for tracking with gaze detection, i.e. detecting the lines of sight of the viewer's eyes

Abstract

A visual sensory aid system for the partially sighted, designed to be worn around the eyes in a manner similar to that of eyeglasses. Light incident to the image source is detected by receptors mounted on the front lens and processed by the electronic circuitry. The resulting signals, representative of the image, are transmitted to monitor areas on an interior lens that extends from beyond the periphery of one eye to beyond the periphery of the other. The right and left images displayed on the monitor areas are reversed at a high frequency in order to simulate a visual stereo effect for depth perception. Areas of the monitors corresponding to blind spots of the eye are electronically inactivated. A feedback system maintains the focal point of the eye in the optimum direction.

Claims

1. A visual sensory aid system for the partially sighted, comprising:

a portable imager for wearing on the face in the same manner as, and in place of, eyeglasses;

electronic circuitry for detecting and processing incident light from an image source into patterns corresponding to said image source, displayed on an inner surface of said sensory aid so as to impinge on those areas of the eyes which still retain sight ability; and

means for shaping the visual image imparted to conform to the particular shape of the blind spot of each eye of the wearer.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said imager comprises a light-weight frame in which is removably installed inner and outer lens members for mounting at least one light-emitting device and at least one light-detecting device for each eye.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said outer lens member contains a plurality of light detecting devices removably installed thereon and said inner lens member contains a plurality of light emitting devices removably installed thereon.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said outer lens member contains a plurality of light detecting devices removably installed thereon and said inner lens member contains at least one monitor, such as a CRT, LCD, or the like, removably installed thereon.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said electronic circuitry is contained in a separate housing, remotely located about the body of the wearer from said imager, and connected thereto by conductive means.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said electronic circuitry is fitted into the frame of said imager, becoming thereby a self-contained unit.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein aid electronic circuitry further comprises a high-frequency switching means for alternating said images between the eyes.

8. The device of claim 1 including means for monitoring the focal position of each eye of a wearer of the device, and means for altering the images fed to said eye so as to realign said focal position to its optimum location.

9. A device for providing to a wearer of said device a selected amount of compensation for a visual disfunction known as macular degeneration, comprising:

a housing for wearing on the face in the same manner as, and in place of, eyeglasses;

an exterior mounting member for mounting a selected number of devices which generate an electrical voltage when impinged upon by light;

an interior mounting member for mounting a selected number of devices which emit light upon application of an electrical voltage thereto;

electronic circuitry for receiving electrical voltage values analogous to light intensity from said voltage generating devices, processing said values in accordance with stored electronic instruction codes, and transmitting new voltage values resultant of said processing to a selected number of said light emitting devices;

means for selectively shaping the pattern of light emitted by a totality of said light emitting devices so as to conform to the shape of the blind spot of each eye of the wearer of the device;

means for selectively altering said light pattern created by said totality of light emitting devices so as to provide a circumferential overlap effect of the actual image as compared to that perceived by the wearer of the device;

feedback means for monitoring the position of the focal point of each eye of the wearer of the device;

means for selectively altering said light pattern so as to redirect said focal point of each eye back to an optimum location; and

power supply means for supplying energizing electrical power to said electronic circuit.