Multiposition handheld electronic magnifier

• US 9,998,672 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2016
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freedom Scientific Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Freedom Scientific Incorporated
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Carlos M., Murphy, Patrick, Tunkis, Waldemar H., Conard, Todd, Goldenberg, Michael, McDaniel, Jeffery
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannett, James
• Application Number:
  US15/230,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20170126980A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 25/005 with means for adjusting the magnifying glass or the object viewed G02B25/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/563 Camera grips, handles means in general for steadying hand-held apparatus F16M13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00129 with a display device, e.g. CRT or LCD monitor with a television apparatus H04N1/00283; arrangements for control of display devices G09G
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/69 Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/84 for processing colour signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/64 Circuits for processing colour signals H04N9/77 takes precedence; camera processing pipelines for processing colour signals H04N23/84

Abstract

Disclosed is a magnifier for use by blind or low vision users. The magnifier includes a camera, such as a CMOS image sensor, that displays enlarged images upon a screen for easy viewing. The magnifier further includes a handle that is pivotally interconnected to a housing to allow for handheld use in a variety of different configurations.

Claims

1. A magnification device for use by blind or low vision users, the device comprising:

a housing having front and rear faces and an interiorly located image sensor, a raised opening formed within the rear face of the housing, the image sensor being aligned with the raised opening, a screen associated with the housing and adapted to display images taken by the camera, an image processor being used to selectively enlarge the displayed images and change the color combinations associated with the displayed image;

a handle pivotally connected to the housing, the handle having front and rear faces, a recessed opening formed within the rear face of the handle whereby the raised opening can be received within the recessed opening such that images can be viewed through the handle;

the handle having at least three discrete orientations relative to the camera, in the first orientation, the handle is positioned to be grasped by the user and the camera is positioned to view distant objects, in the second orientation, the handle is positioned as a stand for the housing and the object to be viewed is positioned in front of the camera, in the third orientation the handle is positioned on top of the object being viewed; and

the handle having a housing for one or more power sources.

2. A magnification device for use by blind or low vision users, the device comprising:

a housing having a front and a rear face, the housing storing a camera and an image processor, a screen associated within the front face of the housing and adapted to display images taken by the camera, an aperture with a periphery that extends outwardly from the rear face of the housing, the aperture being in alignment with camera, the image processor being used to selectively enlarge the displayed images;

a handle pivotally connected to the housing, the housing having a rear face, an indentation formed within the rear face and adapted to cooperate with the aperture of the housing such that the camera can view images through the handle;

the handle having a number of discrete orientations relative to the camera, with the various orientations permitting objects to be viewed at varying distances; and

the handle having a housing for one or more power sources.

3. The magnification device as described in claim 2 wherein the handle has three different orientations, in the first orientation, the handle is positioned to be grasped by the user and the camera is positioned to view distant objects, in the second orientation, the handle is positioned as a stand for the housing and the object to be viewed is positioned in front of the camera, in the third orientation the handle is positioned on top of the object being viewed.

4. The magnification device as described in claim 2 wherein the image processor can selectively change the color combinations associated with the displayed image.

5. The magnification device as described in claim 2 wherein the housing further includes an image memory for selectively storing images for later retrieval.

6. The magnification device as described in claim 2 wherein the images are displayed on an external monitor.

7. A handheld magnifier comprising:

a housing with front and back faces, the housing further including first and second ends and a midpoint therebetween, a camera positioned within the housing proximate the midpoint, a screen positioned within the front face, the screen selectively displaying objects viewed by the camera;

an image processor and an image memory positioned within the housing, the image processor being used to selectively enlarge the displayed images and change the color combinations associated with the displayed image, the displayed images being selectively stored within the image memory for later retrieval;

a handle pivotally connected to the housing, the handle having first and second ends and a midpoint therebetween, an opening formed proximate to the midpoint;

a light chamber formed within the handle;

whereby the handle can be folded into facing relation with the back face of the housing such that the camera is in registry with the handle opening; and

the handle having a housing for one or more power sources.