Optical-to-tactile translator

Details Optical-to-tactile translator Optical-to-tactile translator

1998-08-07

2000-04-25

Font, Frank G.

Optics: measuring and testing

Inspection of flaws or impurities

356376, G01N 2100

Patent

active

060550481

ABSTRACT:
An optical-to-tactile translator provides an aid for the visually impaired by translating a near-field scene to a tactile signal corresponding to said near-field scene. An optical sensor using a plurality of active pixel sensors (APS) converts the optical image within the near-field scene to a digital signal. The digital signal is then processed by a microprocessor and a simple shape signal is generated based on the digital signal. The shape signal is then communicated to a tactile transmitter where the shape signal is converted into a tactile signal using a series of contacts. The shape signal may be an outline of the significant shapes determined in the near-field scene, or the shape signal may comprise a simple symbolic representation of common items encountered repeatedly. The user is thus made aware of the unseen near-field scene, including potential obstacles and dangers, through a series of tactile contacts. In a preferred embodiment, a range determining device such as those commonly found on auto-focusing cameras is included to limit the distance that the optical sensor interprets the near-field scene.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4972501 (1990-11-01), Horyu
patent: 5803740 (1998-09-01), Gesink et al.

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