Closed circuit video magnification system

• US 7,825,949 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James A. Trulaske
• Original Assignee: James A. Trulaske
• Inventors: Trulaske, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WHIPKEY, JASON T
• Application Number:
  US11/359,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20060203093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,714 Days
• Field of Search: 348/62, 348/63, 382/114
• US Class Current: 348/63
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/008 using visual presentation of the information for the partially sighted
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1008 with sub-scanning by translatory movement of the picture-bearing surface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/195 the array comprising a two-dimensional array or a combination of two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/19594 using a television camera or a still video camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0436 Scanning a picture-bearing surface lying face up on a support H04N2201/0434 takes precedence; using cylindrical picture bearing surfaces H04N1/06; with manual scanning H04N1/107

Abstract

A closed circuit video magnification system, incorporates a base, upon which the operating components of this system mount, a platform mounted upon the base for shiftable movement both laterally and depth-wise, in the X-Y directions, pivotal mount a LCD screen for projection and viewing of any matter scanned upon the shiftable platform, or of any other images that are detected and picked up by the miniature camera, also incorporated into the structure of this system. The miniature camera is also mounted upon shiftable arms, for scanning downwardly towards the platform, or which can be pivoted vertically, or circularly, in order to view any scene provided in the surrounding area, and which is capable of being picked up by the lens of the camera, for processing and projecting onto the screen, for viewing by the handicapped person. Controls are provided for regulating the amplification, reduction of size, brightness, and contrast, in addition to its on/off control.

Claims

1. A closed circuit video magnification system for use by a viewer being vision impaired, including, a platform base, said platform base provided for resting upon a stable surface during usage of the system, a platen mounted upon the base and provided for shifting relative to the base in both the lateral and depth dimensions, structural arms connecting approximate the back edge of the base and normally extending upwardly therefrom during usage, a video screen mounted approximate the upper end of said structural arms, and capable of being manipulated into an upright position, to allow for its ease of observance by the vision impaired viewer, a linkage also extending upwardly from the approximate back edge of the base, said linkage capable of mounting a video camera normally for use in video recording any materials rested upon the shiftable platen and for projecting onto the video screen to facilitate its viewing by the viewer, circuitry provided for video recording any of said materials resting upon the shiftable platen, and for processing detected signals from the video camera for projection onto the video screen, said circuitry provided for magnification of the displayed materials to facilitate viewing of the projection by the vision impaired viewer, and said video screen and video camera capable of being collapsed into a contiguous location relative to the shiftable platen to allow for the system to be condensed, as during non-usage and storage.

2. The magnification system of claim 1 and including a pair of said structural arms extending upwardly from the approximate sides of the said base, said arms, at their upper ends, pivotally mounting the video screen thereto, thereby allowing for the screen to be pivoted between its upright viewable position or pivoted downwardly into a horizontal position contiguously above the shiftable platen.

3. The magnification system of claim 2 wherein said linkage comprises a pair of structural linkage extending up from the approximate rear side edges of the said base, a cross rail extending between the upper ends of the linkage structure, the video camera being mounted to the cross rail, and said camera capable of being pivoted for viewing both downwardly and in other directions relative to the shiftable platen, and said video camera capable of being swiveled to provide for viewing both forwardly, rearwardly, and laterally of the base, during its usage.

4. The magnification system of claim 3, wherein the structural linkage supporting the video camera are capable of extending, to provide for variations in the height of the location of the camera above the shiftable platen, during its usage.

5. The magnification system of claim 3 wherein said closed circuit video magnification system is portable.

6. The magnification system of claim 3 wherein the video camera may be turned to provide for scanning of relatively distant objects for projecting onto the video screen for ease of viewing by the viewer.

7. The magnification system of claim 6 wherein the distant scanning may be in a classroom setting to provide for magnified television viewing of an instructor and blackboard.

8. The magnification system of claim 2 wherein the structural arms are extendable, to provide for raising or lowering of the video screen relative to its supporting base.

9. The magnification system of claim 1 wherein manual controls for operations of the video camera, the video screen, and other controls are provided along the bottom edge of the video screen to facilitate their usage and application by the vision impaired viewer of said system.

10. The magnification system of claim 9, wherein the controls provide for regulating the amplification, magnification, reduction in size, brightness, contrast, and the on/off control of the closed circuit video magnification system.

11. The magnification system of claim 1, wherein the video screen is a flat LCD screen.