Peripheral Visual Cue Display for Balance Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for preventing falls in older adults and individuals with vestibular system issues are inadequate, particularly during dynamic activities, as they either provide late warnings, are invasive, or fail to enhance visual orientation in low-contrast or dark environments.
Innovation Solution
An opto-electronic device that uses sensors to obtain head orientation data, processes this data to generate self-motion information, and displays visual cues in the peripheral field to provide space-stationary orientation, enhancing balance through optically corrected cues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If early warning systems are used to detect falls, then fall detection capability is improved, but the system comes too late to prevent the fall and robust online detection is extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing visual orientation cues before a fall occurs. The device continuously displays space-stationary visual cues in the peripheral field of view that help maintain balance and orientation, allowing the user to prevent falls before they happen rather than detecting them after onset. This proactive approach addresses the timing issue by acting in advance.
2Reliability
If galvanic vestibular stimulation is used to improve balance, then sensory information is enhanced, but the method is invasive and not user friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical stimulation approach (galvanic vestibular stimulation) with an optical system. Instead of using electrodes to stimulate the vestibular system, the invention uses visual cues displayed in the peripheral field of view that the brain can process to maintain balance. This substitution eliminates the invasiveness while achieving similar balance control effects through visual-sensory pathways.
3Reliability
If boarding glasses with coloured liquid are used, then visual horizon is provided, but the field of view is reduced and the liquid movement is jerky in dynamic situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by placing multiple discrete visual cues at different locations in the peripheral field of view rather than using a single continuous horizon line. The display shows several visual elements (such as dots or markers) distributed across the peripheral vision area, which provides orientation information without blocking the central field of view. This segmented approach maintains a wide field of view while delivering visual orientation cues.
4Reliability
If augmented reality glasses are used to provide visual cues, then additional orientation information is provided, but the devices are not designed for everyday life wear and disturb the central field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing visual cues specifically in the peripheral field of view while leaving the central field of view undisturbed. The display system targets only the peripheral regions where orientation cues are most beneficial for balance control, without adding complexity to the central viewing area. This localized approach simplifies the overall device design compared to full augmented reality systems while maintaining effectiveness.
Data Source
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AI summary
An opto-electronic device (100) is disclosed. The opto-electronic device (100) comprises at least one sensor (106) configured to obtain head orientation data including information on an orientation of a user's head, a processing unit (112) configured to process the head orientation data so as to obtain self motion data including information on the user's self motion and to provide at least one visual cue (114) based on the obtained self motion data, and a display device (120) configured to display the at least one visual cue (114) at a display (102) at least in a periphery of a visual field of the user. Further, a method for providing visual orientation is disclosed.