Method and apparatus for sensory substitution, vision prosthesis, or low-vision enhancement utilizing thermal sensing
US7308314B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F9/08
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensory substitution device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a thermal imaging array for sensing thermal characteristics of an external scene. The device includes a visual prosthesis adapted to receive input based on the scene sensed by the thermal imaging array and to convey information based on the scene to a user of the sensing device. The visual prosthesis is adapted to simultaneously convey to the user different visual information corresponding to portions of the scene having different thermal characteristics. One type of thermal imaging array includes a microbolometer imaging array, and one type of visual prosthesis includes a retinal implant. According to additional embodiments, an apparatus for obtaining thermal data includes a thermal detector adapted to sense thermal characteristics of an environment using a plurality of pixels. The apparatus also includes a pixel translator, operably coupled with the thermal detector, adapted to translate pixel data of the thermal detector to a lower resolution. The apparatus also includes an interface, operably coupled with the pixel translator, adapted to communicate the thermal characteristics of the environment …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.