Viewing Aid with Optical Tracking for Fixed Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing viewing aids for impaired vision require precise movement of cameras or viewing surfaces, which can be difficult for individuals with macular degeneration or motor skill impairments, making it challenging to achieve clear and enlarged images of printed or digital materials.
Innovation Solution
A viewing aid system that includes a camera, a fixed viewing surface, and a display, with software that tracks a pointing element to map its location to an initial image stored in memory, allowing for enhanced image display without moving the camera or material, enabling natural reading experiences with magnification and other enhancements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is moved relative to the viewing surface to capture images of target portions, then the ability to view different portions of material is improved, but the precision required to position the camera becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a tracking element (such as a laser pointer or LED) that projects a point of light onto the viewing surface. The camera captures the position of this tracking element rather than requiring precise manual positioning. The system creates a digital copy of the tracking element's position in software, which is then mapped to corresponding portions of the stored image, eliminating the need for precise mechanical positioning of the camera itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical positioning system with an optical tracking system. Instead of mechanically moving the camera to different positions, the system uses light-based tracking elements that can be easily positioned and tracked by the camera. The software then handles the mapping and image enhancement, substituting mechanical precision requirements with software-based coordinate mapping.
2Productivity
If the viewing surface or material is moved relative to the camera using X-Y tables, then successive images can be captured, but the complexity and difficulty of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures a single comprehensive image of the entire viewing surface and stores it in memory. Instead of moving the viewing surface or material to capture successive images, the system creates a digital copy of the entire scene and then uses software to extract and enhance specific portions based on tracking element position. This eliminates the need for physical X-Y table movement while still enabling successive image capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by capturing and storing a complete image of the viewing surface in advance. This single comprehensive image serves as the source for all subsequent enhanced views. The software then processes this pre-captured image to generate enhanced portions as needed, eliminating the need for repeated physical repositioning and multiple captures.
3Ease of operation
If the material rests freely on the viewing surface, then the material can be easily positioned, but the material itself may be moved relative to the camera causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital reference frame by capturing the entire viewing surface including the material position in the initial image. The software establishes coordinate mappings based on this captured image, so that even if the material shifts slightly, the tracking element's position relative to the captured image provides accurate localization. The digital copy serves as a stable reference that compensates for physical instability.
Data Source
AI summary
A viewing aid includes a camera, a viewing surface within a field of view of the camera, a memory, a display, and software programmed to track a tracking element within the field of view. Viewing material is placed on the viewing surface. The camera, viewing surface, and material all remain substantially stationary. The camera captures and stores an initial image of the material in the memory. The software then tracks the location of a tracking element within the field of view then maps the location to a portion of the initial image in memory using an X-Y coordinate system, and/or identifies character elements of the material adjacent the tracking element then maps the character elements to corresponding character elements of the initial image in memory. An enhanced image is then displayed on the display corresponding to the mapped portion of the initial image.