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 Title: |
US5878154:
Method and apparatus for image recognition for blind and severely visually handicapped persons
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Schimmelpfennig, Winfried; D-18292 Krakow am See, Germany
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
1999-03-02
/ 1996-05-10
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| Application Number: |
US1996000640958
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A61F 4/00;
A61F 9/08;
G09B 21/00;
Core:
more...
IPC-7:
A61F 9/08;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
382/114;
341/021;
348/062;
382/128;
434/114;
623/004.1;
Original:
382/114;
341/021;
348/062;
382/128;
134/434;
623/004;
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| Field of Search: |
340/407.1,825.19
341/021,31
345/108,110
348/061,62
382/114
434/112-114
607/143
623/004,66
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| Priority Number: |
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| Abstract: |
An apparatus enables the blind and the severely visually handicapped to recognize images by way of the tongue. Optical image information, in the form of video images, is processed electronically and transferred as an image representation to flat monitor matrix which is worn in the oral cavity in the tactile region of the tongue. Electrical current density, temperature or relief images are used to create the representations, whereby the images can be scanned by the tongue and recognized. High image resolution is attainable over the matrix region, and the tip of the tongue can be concentrated on any image detail, thus approximating sharp vision perceived by the normal eye.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Jordan and Hamburg LLP ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Au, Amelia; Bobys, Marc
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
None
Family Legal Status Report
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| Family: |
Show 10 known family members
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First Claim:
Show all 8 claims |
I claim:
1. An image-recognition method for one of a blind and highly visually impaired person, the method comprising the following steps:
- optically detecting an image using an image detection device for converting said image into digital signals containing image information;
- processing the image information gained from the image detection device using a computer to produce processed image information;
- transferring the image information to a monitor matrix for reproducing image structure representative of said image using non-optical means for producing a plurality of image points permitting detection by the tongue of the impaired person when scanned thereby;
- wearing the monitor matrix in an oral cavity region accessible for scanning by the tongue of the impaired person; and
- scanning said image structure in detail with a tip of the tongue of the impaired person and broadly with a surface of the tongue, thereby effecting sensory detection of said image in a manner mimicking normal eye function and providing the impaired person with enhanced spacial image resolution over a whole of said monitor matrix by permitting said impaired person to accurately analyze area portions of said image information from said image structure.
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| Background / Summary: |
Show background / summary
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
Show description
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| Forward References: |
Show 4 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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| Foreign References: |
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| Other References: |
Collins, C.C., A Microcomputer Based Blind Mobility Aid, Frontiers of Engineering and Computing in Health Care -1984. Proceedings --Sixth Annual Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, pp. 52-55, Sep. 1984.
Jarmul et al., Investigation of Significant Interface Parameters Involved in the Electromechanical Transfer of Tactile Information, Proceedings of the Fifteenth Annual Northeast Bioengineering Conference, IEEE, pp. 43-44, Mar. 1989.
Kaczmarek et al., A Tactile Vision-Substitution System for the Blind: Computer-Controlled Partial Image Sequencing, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, pp. 602-660, Aug. 1985.
(7 pages)
Cited by 2 patents
Collins, C.C. Tactile Television-Mechanical and Electrical Image Projection, IEEE Transactions on Man-Machine Systems, Mar. 1970
Heller et al., Determining Reading and Writing Media for Individuals with Visual and Physical Impairments, Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, pp. 162, Mar. 1998.
(14 pages)
[ISI abstract]
IIBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 32, No. 12, pp. 445-447, May 1990.
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