Optic nerve image output device and method

• US 5,674,263 A
• Filed: 03/18/1996
• Issued: 10/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Tooru Ishii
• Original Assignee: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Tooru Ishii
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Hiroshi, Ishii, Tooru
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAYNO, CARL HERNANDZ
• Application Number:
  US08/617,070
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 607/54, 607/2, 623/4
• US Class Current: 607/54
• 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: A61N 1/36046 of the eye
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/001 Teaching or communicating with blind persons G09B21/02 - G09B21/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays

Abstract

An optic nerve image output device and method for modulating image signals output by an image output device with low-frequency square waves output by a square wave output device and outputting this modulated output at the portion acted upon by optic nerve at the head on the human body side with an output device. If low-frequency square wave signals are applied to the portion acted upon by optic nerve at the head on the human body, the optic nerve can visually feel a square screen by light and scanning lines on that screen. For that reason, if video signals are applied after modification with such low-frequency square wave signals, an image is directly felt by the optic nerve, making it possible for not only healthy persons but also blind persons to recognize the image and thus also making it possible to use the human body as a display.

Claims

1. An optic nerve image output device comprising:

image output means for outputting image signals,

square wave output means for outputting low-frequency square waves,

modulation means for modulating said image signals outputted by said image output means with said low-frequency square waves outputted by said square wave output means, and

output means for outputting signals modulated by said modulation means at a portion acted upon by an optic nerve at a head of a human body.

2. An optic nerve image output device comprising:

image output means for outputting image signals;

square wave output means for outputting low frequency square waves;

modulation means for modulating said image signals outputted by said image output means with said low frequency square waves outputted by said square wave output means; and

output means for outputting signals modulated by said modulation means at a portion acted upon by an optic nerve at a head of a human body;

wherein

said square waves are formed in a continuous alternating waveform in which polarity is alternately switched by a means for alternately switching the polarity of said square waves.

3. An optic nerve image output device comprising:

image output means for outputting image signals;

square wave output means for outputting low frequency square waves;

modulation means for modulating said image signals outputted by said image output means with said low frequency square waves outputted by said square wave output means; and

output means for outputting signals modulated with said modulation means at a portion acted upon by an optic nerve at a head of a human body;

wherein

said square waves are formed with low frequency waves of 15 to 25 Hz by a means for generating square waves between 15 to 25 Hz.

4. An optic nerve image output method for applying video signals to a portion acted upon by an optic nerve at a head of a human body by modulating said video signals with low-frequency square waves.

5. An optic nerve image output method for applying video signals to a portion acted upon by an optic nerve at head of a human body by modulating said video signals with low frequency square waves;

wherein

said square waves are formed in a continuous alternating waveform in which polarity is alternately switched by a means for alternately switching the polarity of said square waves.

6. An optic nerve image output method for applying video signals to a portion acted upon by an optic nerve at a head of a human body by modulating said video signals with low frequency square waves;

wherein

said square waves are formed with low frequency waves of 15 to 25 Hz by a means for generating square waves between 15 to 25 Hz.