Patent US3594823A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3594823A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Visual substitution system with receptor scanning means
Assignee: Medical Research Institute
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Filing: 1969-02-11
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A tactile image converter for blind subjects comprises a quasirandom digitally swept vidicon camera tube, and an orthogonal logical switching matrix to connect sequentially each element of the vidicon photocathode surface to the corresponding element of a polarized solenoid stimulator matrix in contact with the subject''s skin. The matrix acts as a mechanical image projector to impress a two-dimensional, vibrating facsimile of the outlines of a visible object onto a large area of skin.
Inventors
- 👤 Carter C Collins
- 👤 Paul Bach-Y-Rita
- 👤 Gordon W Holmlund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:28
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B21/00; G09B21/001; G09B21/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A visual substitution system comprising an artificial receptor for converting visual information into electrical signals, said artificial receptor comprising an array of photosensitive elements, a simulator matrix for engagement with the skin of a subject, said matrix comprising an array of spaced stimulator elements disposed in a configuration corresponding to the configuration of said array of photosensitive elements, coupling means including a single video amplifier for coupling electrical signals from said artificial receptor to said stimulator matrix and means for scanning the photosensitive elements in said artificial receptor and the stimulator elements in said stimulator matrix in a like diagonal quadrature sweep pattern, said scanning means including switching means for individually connecting in sequence the photosensitive element in said artificial receptor array, via said video amplifier, to corresponding ones respectively of the stimulator elements in said stimulator matrix.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A visual substitution system comprising an artificial receptor for converting visual information into electrical signals, said artificial receptor comprising an array of photosensitive elements, a simulator matrix for engagement with the skin of a subject, said matrix comprising an array of spaced stimulator elements disposed in a configuration corresponding to the configuration of said array of photosensitive elements, coupling means including a single video amplifier for coupling electrical signals from said artificial receptor to said stimulator matrix and means for scanning the photosensitive elements in said artificial receptor and the stimulator elements in said stimulator matrix in a like diagonal quadrature sweep pattern, said scanning means including switching means for individually connecting in sequence the photosensitive element in said artificial receptor array, via said video amplifier, to corresponding ones respectively of the stimulator elements in said stimulator matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes threshold means for coupling signals having an amplitude in excess of a selected magnitude to said matrix and for preventing such coupling of signals having an amplitude less than said selected magnitude.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes outline circuit means for preventing the coupling of selected ones of said electrical signals to said matrix, to produce an outline representation only of said visual information at said stimulator matrix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 3 including switch means for selectively rendering said outline circuit means inoperative.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said artificial receptor comprises a television camera.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes switchable phase inverter means for selectively reversing said tacTile representation between black-on-white and white-on-black states.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said stimulator matrix comprises an array of vibrators.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 including digital sweep generator means operative to control said scanning means to effect said scanning in a discontinuous step-by-step se sequence.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 8 including periodically operable means for sampling the visual information at each of said photosensitive elements after each step of said scanning sequence has terminated and before the next step commences, said sampled information being coupled via said video amplifier to said stimulator matrix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said digital sweep generator means includes reversible digital counter means, and clock means for driving said counter means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |