Scene scanner and tactile display device for the blind

Claim 1

A portable guidance device for providing a tactile representation of a scene, comprising: a. photoresponsive sensing means including a plurality of discrete photosensitive receptors, each adapted to receive a discrete elemental portion of the actinic radiation image of a scene to be represented and to generate an electrical signal representative thereof; b. sensitivity control means coupled to said sensing means and adapted to be connected to a source of power for adjusting the sensitivity of said receptors to impinging radiation to establish appropriate contrast levels as between relatively light and dark portions of a scene; c. tactile display means including a corresponding plurality of display elements, each comprising a pin having a peripheral notch and respectively coupled to a receptor of said photoresponsive sensing means, said display means being operable in response to electrical signals from said sensing means to provide a bilevel tactile stimulus corresponding to and representative of the actinic image impinging upon said sensing means; and d. display storage means coupled to said display means for holding displayed information independent of sensing means signals and including holding plate means having a plurality of apertures corresponding to the plurality of display elements and in axial alignment therewith, said holding plate means being adapted for limited translational motion out of axial alignment to engage the peripheral notches of extended pins.

Claim 9

A device for providing a tactile representation of a scene, comprising: a plurality of light sensitive elements arranged in a matrix plane and oriented to receive radiation emanating from said scene, said elements providing an electric signal of magnitude functionally related to the degree of illumination thereof; an equal number of pinlike members arranged in a matrix plane, said members being interconnected with the light sensitive elements on a one-for-one basis and responsive to signals from said elements to extend outwardly of the matrix plane for tactile sensing; and means interrelated with said pinlike members for maintaining the members extended to provide storage of a tactile representation; and selectively actuatable means for releasing the extended members.

Claim 10

A device for providing a tactile representation of a scene, comprising: a plurality of light sensitive elements arranged in a matrix plane and oriented to receive radiation emanating from said scene, said elements providing an electric signal of magnitude functionally related to the degree of illumination thereof; an equal number of pinlike members arranged in a matrix plane, said members being interconnected with the light sensitive elements on a one-for-one basis and responsive to signals from said elements to extend outwardly of the matrix plane for tactile sensing; and means interrelated with said pinlike members for maintaining the members extended to provide storage of a tactile representation; and selectively actuatable means for releasing the extended members.