Artificial intelligence enhanced system for adaptive control driven AR/VR visual aids
Inventors
Kim, Brian • Watola, David A. • Cormier, Jay E.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11521360-B2
Publication Date
2022-12-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
Interactive systems using adaptive control software and hardware from known and later developed eyepieces to later developed head-wear to lenses, including implantable, temporarily insertable and contact and related film based types of lenses including thin film transparent elements for housing cameras lenses and projector and functional equivalent processing tools. Simple controls, real-time updates and instant feedback allow implicit optimization of a universal model while managing complexity.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a visual aid eyeglass device for a low-vision user that includes a camera configured to capture images of a scene. An integrated processor modifies the captured images to produce corrected images of the scene, and one or more displays present the corrected images to one or more eyes of the low-vision user. The device includes one or more opaque lens covers disposed on the one or more displays to prevent external light from passing through the one or more displays.
When the visual aid device is worn, the opaque lens covers are positioned and configured to block an external central light path that coincides with the one or more displays. As a result, a central visual field of the low-vision user comprises only the corrected images on the one or more displays. Simultaneously, the opaque lens covers are also positioned and configured to allow an external peripheral light path adjacent to the one or more displays to reach the eye of the low-vision user.
The invention further includes corrected-image processing implemented by the integrated processor. The document describes image modification features such as providing a smooth transition between central visual field and peripheral vision, and modifying magnification, contrast, and color mapping of the images. The architecture preserves peripheral vision while replacing the central retinal image with the corrected images presented on the displays.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim. The main claim coverage focuses on a visual aid eyeglass device with camera-corrected images displayed to low-vision users, combined with opaque lens covers that block only a central external light path while preserving an adjacent peripheral external light path. Dependent claims further refine the corrected-image modification and central-to-peripheral transition.
Central corrected-image-only field by blocking an external central light path
The visual aid eyeglass device includes one or more opaque lens covers disposed on the one or more displays, positioned and configured to block an external central light path that coincides with the one or more displays so that a central visual field comprises only the corrected images on the one or more displays.
Preserved peripheral vision by allowing an adjacent external peripheral light path
The one or more opaque lens covers are positioned and configured to simultaneously allow an external peripheral light path adjacent to the one or more displays and not blocked by the one or more opaque lens covers to reach the eye of the low-vision user to preserve the low-vision user's existing peripheral vision of the scene.
Processor-based corrected images presented by displays
A camera captures images of a scene, and an integrated processor modifies the images to produce corrected images of the scene that are presented by one or more displays to one or more eyes of a low-vision user.
Overall, the claim set is directed to a camera-and-processor visual aid eyeglass architecture that produces corrected images for central presentation while opaque lens covers block the central external light path and permit an adjacent peripheral external light path to preserve existing peripheral vision. Dependent refinements further characterize corrected-image modification and a smooth transition between central and peripheral vision.
Stated Advantages
Preserve the low-vision user's existing peripheral vision of the scene by simultaneously allowing an external peripheral light path while blocking a central light path.
Documented Applications
Using the visual aid eyeglass device when worn by a low-vision user to present corrected images in the central visual field while preserving existing peripheral vision.
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