Enhancing depth perception

• US 8,410,913 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2011
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth Cottrell
• Original Assignee: Kenneth Cottrell
• Inventors: Cottrell, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US13/041,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20120229263A1
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/573.1, 340/600, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.21, 340/539.23, 340/565
• US Class Current: 340/391.1
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods enhance depth perception, e.g., the depth perception of a human being using an apparatus worn on the user'"'"'s head.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising

a frame configured to be worn on a human head;

a rangefinder mechanism configured to measure a distance of an object, the rangefinder mechanism comprising;

a transmitter of a reflectable signal,

a receiver of the reflectable signal, and

output circuitry configured to transmit a distance signal indicative of a location of the object,

wherein the rangefinder mechanism attached to the frame and oriented such that the transmitter of the reflectable signal emits the reflectable signal in a direction parallel to a line of sight of the eyes of a user wearing the frame;

a transducer configured to receive the distance signal from the rangefinder mechanism and configured to transmit an audio signal; and

a speaker configured to receive the audio signal and to emit an audible tone, the speaker attached to the frame.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a user control configured to adjust a frequency range of the audio signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a user control configured to enable and disable the speaker.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the reflectable signal comprises an infrared signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the frame comprises an eyeglass frame.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the speaker comprises a configurable output frequency range.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the audible tone produced by the speaker changes as the distance signal changes.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, in which the audible tone produced by the speaker increases in frequency as the distance signal indicates a decreasing distance.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, in which the audible tone produced by the speaker decreases in frequency as the distance signal indicates a decreasing distance.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising an eye tracker.

11. A method, comprising

measuring a distance of an object by emitting a reflectable signal in a direction parallel to a line of sight of eyes of a user wearing a frame configured to be worn on a human head;

generating a distance signal indicative of a location of the object, the distance signal based on the reflectable signal;

generating an audio signal based on the distance signal; and

emitting an audible tone corresponding to the audio signal.