Eyewear Light Array and Vibration Devices for Blind Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users with nearsightedness, farsightedness, color blindness, or blindness face challenges when using portable eyewear devices like smart glasses, which integrate cameras and see-through displays.
Innovation Solution
The eyewear device incorporates a light array on the front portion of the frame, which illuminates the left or right portion to indicate turns, and vibration devices in the temples that vibrate to signal turns, enhancing usability for users with partial or complete blindness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If see-through displays are integrated into eyewear devices, then information display capability is improved, but usability for visually impaired users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary devices (light array and vibration devices) that translate visual navigation information into accessible formats for visually impaired users. The light array converts directional cues into visible light signals, while vibration devices convert navigation instructions into tactile feedback, serving as mediators between the see-through display system and visually impaired users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces visual mechanical display systems with alternative sensory systems. Instead of relying on visual displays that visually impaired users cannot access, the system substitutes tactile vibration feedback and light array signals that can be perceived through non-visual senses, effectively replacing the mechanical visual display mechanism with alternative sensory interfaces.
2Device complexity
If standard eyewear devices are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but accessibility for visually impaired users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the eyewear device universal by integrating multiple output modalities (visual see-through display, light array signals, and vibration feedback) into a single device. This multi-functionality allows the same device to serve both visually capable users who can use the see-through display and visually impaired users who rely on light array and vibration cues, thereby achieving accessibility without sacrificing device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability where the system can switch between different output modes based on user needs. The eyewear device dynamically selects between visual displays, light array illumination patterns, and vibration feedback mechanisms, allowing the same hardware to adapt its functionality to serve different user groups without requiring separate specialized devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution improves the user experience for individuals with visual impairments by providing clear directional cues, enabling them to navigate effectively while using the eyewear device.
Implementation Method 1
The front portion of the frame includes the light array, where the left portion of the light array is illuminated to indicate to the user to turn left. The right portion of the light array is illuminated to indicate to the user to turn right.
Implementation Method 2
The eyewear has a vibration device on both sides of the eyewear, such as in the temples, which selectively vibrate to indicate when the user should turn left and right.
Data Source
AI summary
Eyewear having a light array and vibration sensors for indicating to a user when to turn left and right, such as when the eyewear is operating a navigation map application, that improves the user experience of eyewear devices for users having partial blindness or complete blindness. To compensate for partial blindness, the front portion of the eyewear frame, such as the bridge, may include the light array, where the left portion of the light array is illuminated to indicate to the user to turn left. The right portion of the light array is illuminated to indicate to the user to turn right. To compensate for complete users having complete blindness, the eyewear has a vibration device on each side of the eyewear, such as in the temples, which selectively vibrate to indicate when the user should turn left and right.