Head-worn Display System for Visual Impairment Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods fail to effectively correct visual impairments that cannot be addressed through refractive means, such as retinal degeneration, macular degeneration, and cortical visual impairments, which significantly impact quality of life, especially as age increases.
Innovation Solution
A head-worn or spectacle-mounted display system that uses a digital camera and microprocessor to process image data, separating it into multiple files with applied effects for display, optimizing image presentation to match individual visual impairments, including retinal and nervous system disorders, and adjusting parameters like power consumption, frame rate, and acuity to enhance visual performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refractive correction methods (eyeglasses, contact lenses, laser surgery) are used, then common visual deficiencies (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia) are corrected, but visual impairments from retinal degeneration, macular degeneration, and cortical visual impairments cannot be addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional refractive optical correction (mechanical lens systems) with a digital imaging system consisting of a camera, microprocessor, and display. This substitution enables processing and enhancement of visual information to address retinal and cortical impairments that cannot be corrected by traditional refractive means, thereby expanding adaptability while maintaining correction effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of visual presentation by processing image data through a microprocessor to enhance contrast, adjust brightness, and modify temporal characteristics. These parameter changes in the displayed image compensate for reduced contrast sensitivity and other visual deficits associated with various impairments, making the system adaptable to different condition types
2Reliability
If image data is processed and separated into multiple files with applied effects, then visual enhancement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microprocessor and display system are designed to perform multiple functions: capturing images, processing data, separating into multiple files, applying various enhancement effects, and displaying results. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized devices, managing complexity while maintaining comprehensive visual enhancement capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The microprocessor acts as an intermediary between the camera and display, processing image data and applying enhancements. This intermediary component manages the complexity of image processing algorithms and file separation, shielding the user from system complexity while delivering enhanced visual output
3Reliability
If visual presentation is customized to match individual visual impairments, then functional vision is enhanced, but system adaptability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to individual user needs by processing image data with adjustable parameters and effects. The microprocessor can modify contrast, brightness, and temporal characteristics based on the specific visual impairment type, providing customized enhancement that improves functional vision while managing adaptability through software-based configuration rather than hardware redesign
Data Source
AI summary
Visual impairment, or vision impairment, refers to the vision loss of an individual to such a degree as to require additional support for one or more aspects of their life. Such a significant limitation of visual capability may result from disease, trauma, congenital, and/or degenerative conditions that cannot be corrected by conventional means, such as refractive correction, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, medication, or surgery. According to embodiments of the invention a method of augmenting a user's sight is provided comprising obtaining an image of a scene using a camera carried by the individual, transmitting the obtained image to a processor, selecting an algorithm of a plurality of spectral, spatial, and temporal image modification algorithms to be applied to the image by the processor, modifying the image using the algorithm substantially in real time, and displaying the modified image on a display device worn by the individual.