Apparatus for converting visual images into tactile representations for use by a person who is visually impaired
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for converting visual images into tactile representations for use by a person who is visually impaired comprising:
- imaging means for converting incident light into electrical signals;
processing means for processing the electrical signals; and
tactile display means for converting processed electrical signals into tactile images;
whereby the tactile images are felt by the visually impaired person enabling them to ascertain information by touch about the world around them that a sighted person would ascertain through vision;
wherein the tactile display means comprises;
a plurality of individually controlled miniature motors oriented in a grid each of which respond to a portion of the processed electrical signals;
a plurality of miniature rack and pinion gear assemblies, each of which is operatively connected to one of the miniature motors so that rotational motion of a pinion connected to a shaft of a miniature motor is converted into linear motion of a rack;
a plurality of rods, each of which is connected to one of the racks, so that when the racks move linearly, the rods move linearly as well;
means for adapting the tactile display means to a portion of the body of a visually impaired person including means for causing the rods to move perpendicular to the surface of the portion of the body;
whereby a tactile image is formed by the movement of the rods against the body of the person.
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Abstract
A device for converting the visual and/or auditory into tactile representations includes imaging equipment for converting light and/or sounds, including spoken text, into electrical signals, processing equipment for processing the electrical signals, and a tactile display for converting processed electrical signals into tactile images. The tactile images are felt by the user enabling them to obtain visual or auditory information by touch about the world around them that would otherwise be obtained through vision and/or hearing.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for converting visual images into tactile representations for use by a person who is visually impaired comprising:
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imaging means for converting incident light into electrical signals; processing means for processing the electrical signals; and tactile display means for converting processed electrical signals into tactile images; whereby the tactile images are felt by the visually impaired person enabling them to ascertain information by touch about the world around them that a sighted person would ascertain through vision; wherein the tactile display means comprises; a plurality of individually controlled miniature motors oriented in a grid each of which respond to a portion of the processed electrical signals; a plurality of miniature rack and pinion gear assemblies, each of which is operatively connected to one of the miniature motors so that rotational motion of a pinion connected to a shaft of a miniature motor is converted into linear motion of a rack; a plurality of rods, each of which is connected to one of the racks, so that when the racks move linearly, the rods move linearly as well; means for adapting the tactile display means to a portion of the body of a visually impaired person including means for causing the rods to move perpendicular to the surface of the portion of the body; whereby a tactile image is formed by the movement of the rods against the body of the person. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification