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US3562408A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hapticon visual substitution system
Assignee: Medical Research Institute
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Filing: 1969-03-05
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Granted: 1971-02-09
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Expires: 1989-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A multiple anode photomultiplying image tube is provided employing an image intensifier structure and an array of anodes for converting visible information into patterned electrical signals. A modulating source associated with the tube assures that the electrical signals exhibit particular characteristics; and such signals are conveyed to an array of electrodes in contact with the skin of a subject, to be perceived by the subject as a conceptual image. The photomultiplying image tube can be mounted in or on spectacles, or on the head of the subject. Arrangements are disclosed for providing black and white information, color information, and stereoscopic information to the subject, and for using the eyes to aim the system at any desired object.
Inventors
- 👤 Carter C Collins
- 👤 Frank A Saunders
- 👤 Julius M Madey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/08; G; G09; G09B; G09B21/00; G09B21/001; G09B21/003; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0526; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36014; A61N1/3603; A61N1/36034
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A visual substitution system comprising signal generator means operative to produce output signals in the form of a plurality of spaced pulse bursts, each of said bursts comprising a plurality of pulses having a repetition rate up to 10,000 Hz. and said bursts being spaced from one another to occur at a repetition rate up to 100 pulse bursts per second, an artificial receptor responsive to visible information and coupled to said signal generator means for modulating the amplitude of said pulses in accordance with the brightness of different portions of said visual information, and means for coupling said modulated pulses to the skin of a subject to achieve a patterned electrical stimulation of the skin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A visual substitution system comprising signal generator means operative to produce output signals in the form of a plurality of spaced pulse bursts, each of said bursts comprising a plurality of pulses having a repetition rate up to 10,000 Hz. and said bursts being spaced from one another to occur at a repetition rate up to 100 pulse bursts per second, an artificial receptor responsive to visible information and coupled to said signal generator means for modulating the amplitude of said pulses in accordance with the brightness of different portions of said visual information, and means for coupling said modulated pulses to the skin of a subject to achieve a patterned electrical stimulation of the skin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each of said pulses is substantially rectangular in waveform, each pulse having a width of between 1 and 500 microseconds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said artificial receptor comprises a photocathode, an array of collector anodes spaced from said photocathode, and an image intensifier positioned between said photocathode and said anode array, said signal generator means being electrically coupled to said image intensifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said image intensifier comprises a secondary emission microchannel plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the number of anodes in said array is less than the number of channels in said microchannel plate, whereby electron image beam current from a plurality of said channels is directed onto each of said anodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 5 including a matrix of spaced electrodes for engagement with the skin of a subject, and conductor means coupling each of the anodes in said array to a corresponding one of the electrodes in said matrix.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
A visual substitution system comprising an artificial receptor for converting visual information into electrical signals; said receptor comprising a photocathode, an array of collector anodes spaced from said photocathode, and a secondary emission microchannel plate image intensifier positioned between said photocathode and said anode array; optical means for projecting visuAl information onto said photocathode; a matrix of spaced electrodes for engagement with the skin of a subject; and connector means electrically coupling the anodes in said array to the electrodes in said matrix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
A visual substitution system comprising an artificial receptor for converting visual information into electrical signals; said receptor comprising a photocathode, an array of collector anodes spaced from said photocathode, and a secondary emission microchannel plate image intensifier positioned between said photocathode and said anode array; optical means for projecting visuAl information onto said photocathode; a matrix of spaced electrodes for engagement with the skin of a subject; and connector means electrically coupling the anodes in said array to the electrodes in said matrix.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 7 including pulse generator means coupled to said artificial receptor for converting said visual information into pulses of electrical information at said collector anodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said pulse generator means is operative to convert said visual information into substantially rectangular pulses occurring at a repetition rate up to 10,000 Hz.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said artificial receptor is mounted on a pair of spectacles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said artificial receptor is mounted on the frontal piece of a pair of spectacles, said pulse generator means being carried by at least one of the side temple members of said pair of spectacles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said matrix of spaced electrodes is mounted for support on the head of a subject with said electrodes in engagement with the subject''s scalp.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said artificial receptor and said matrix of spaced electrodes are mounted on a common support member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said photocathode comprises a plurality of spaced photocathode sections, different color filter means positioned respectively between said optical means and said spaced photocathode sections, and a plurality of different frequency modulating pulse generators coupled respectively to said plurality of photocathode sections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said artificial receptor includes a plurality of said microchannel plates disposed adjacent said plurality of photocathode sections respectively.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said plurality of photocathode sections and said plurality of microchannel plates are mounted in a common evacuated envelope.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said plurality of photocathode sections and said plurality of microchannel plates are mounted respectively in separate evacuated envelopes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said optical means includes at least one movable element for varying the nature of the visual information which is projected onto said photocathode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said movable element comprises a movable mirror for changing the view point of visual information projected onto said photocathode, and drive means for regularly varying the position of said movable mirror.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 19 including signal means operative in synchronism with said drive means for coupling signals to the skin of a subject informing the subject of the viewpoint of visual information being projected onto said photocathode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said movable element comprises mirror means mounted for support on and movement with the eye of a subject for controlling the direction of view of said artificial receptor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 7 comprising a plurality of said artificial receptors, and control means for rendering different ones of said receptors operative at different times.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2327222A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-08 | 1974-08-10 | 1975-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-08 | 1978-08-10 | 1979-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-08 | 1982-08-10 | 1983-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |