Wearable Proximity Sensing Array for Visually Impaired
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users with vision impairments, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, color blindness, or blindness, face difficulties in using portable eyewear devices with see-through displays due to the inability to effectively perceive directional and distance information.
Innovation Solution
The eyewear device incorporates a light array and vibration sensors to indicate the direction and distance of objects, where the brightness of lights and intensity of vibrations correspond to the proximity of objects, enhancing usability for users with partial or complete blindness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If see-through displays are used in eyewear devices, then visual information is provided to users, but users with vision impairments cannot effectively perceive directional and distance information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light arrays and vibration sensors as intermediary devices that translate optical information (direction and distance of objects) into tactile and visual cues accessible to visually impaired users. The light array emits directional light patterns while vibration sensors provide haptic feedback corresponding to object proximity, serving as mediators between the visual environment and users with limited vision perception
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on visual perception mechanisms with alternative sensing modalities. Instead of depending on users' ability to visually interpret directional information from see-through displays, the system uses vibration sensors to detect object proximity and converts this information into tactile feedback through haptic actuators, substituting the visual-mechanical perception pathway with a tactile-mechanical one
2Ease of operation
If light arrays and vibration sensors are added to provide directional and distance information, then usability for visually impaired users is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the eyewear device structure. The light array serves both aesthetic/design purposes and functional communication purposes (providing directional information). The vibration sensors simultaneously detect object proximity and provide haptic feedback. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining enhanced usability
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
The solution significantly improves the user experience for individuals with vision impairments by providing tactile and visual cues for directional and distance information, enabling them to navigate and interact with their environment more effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The eyewear device incorporates a light array and vibration sensors to indicate the direction and distance of objects, where the brightness of lights and intensity of vibrations correspond to the proximity of objects
Implementation Method 2
The eyewear device incorporates a light array and vibration sensors to indicate the direction and distance of objects, where the brightness of lights and intensity of vibrations correspond to the proximity of objects
Data Source
AI summary
Eyewear having a light array and vibration sensors for indicating to a user the direction and distance of an object relative to the eyewear to help a user understand and avoid objects. To compensate for partial blindness, the front portion of the eyewear frame may include the light array, where one or more lights of the light array is illuminated to indicate a corresponding direction of a proximate object. The relative brightness of the one or more lights indicates how close the object is, where brighter light(s) indicates a close object. To compensate for more severe partial blindness or complete blindness, the eyewear has haptics, such as a plurality of vibration devices on the front portion of the eyewear, such as in the bridge, which selectively vibrate to indicate a direction of the object. The stronger the vibration, the closer the object.