Patent EP0150633A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4548485A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4548485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reading device for the visually handicapped
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-09-01
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Granted: 1985-10-22
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Expires: 2003-09-01
Abstract
Abstract An optical viewing device enabling visually handicapped persons to read ordinary textual material in full color, the device comprising a stage for holding the material and an X-Y positioner used to move the textual material on the stage; lights beneath the stage for illuminating the material; an objective to form a real image; a prism or mirrors for reflecting the imaging rays from the objective through 90 degrees and for reinverting the rays; two mirrors to reflect the rays to an approximately vertical, directional, controlled brightness rear projection screen, so that the imaging rays successively passing from the objective to the reflecting/reinverting prism or mirrors and the two mirrors form a real, erect enlarged image on the screen.
Inventors
- 👤 Stewart Dean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:22
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An optical viewing device to enable a visually handicapped person to read ordinary textual material, the device comprising a substantially horizontal stage for holding the textual material; means for moving the textual material parallel to the stage; means below the stage for illuminating the material on the stage; an objective to form imaging rays and provide a real image of the material; means for both reflecting the imaging rays from the objective through substantially 90 degrees and reinverting the imaging rays; a first reflecting surface; a second reflecting surface; and a substantially vertically oriented, directional, controlled brightness rear projection viewing screen, the imaging rays from the objective successively passing from the reflecting means and the first and second surfaces to form a real erect enlarged image of the material as viewed from the front of the screen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
An optical viewing device to enable a visually handicapped person to read ordinary textual material, the device comprising a substantially horizontal stage for holding the textual material; means for moving the textual material parallel to the stage; means below the stage for illuminating the material on the stage; an objective to form imaging rays and provide a real image of the material; means for both reflecting the imaging rays from the objective through substantially 90 degrees and reinverting the imaging rays; a first reflecting surface; a second reflecting surface; and a substantially vertically oriented, directional, controlled brightness rear projection viewing screen, the imaging rays from the objective successively passing from the reflecting means and the first and second surfaces to form a real erect enlarged image of the material as viewed from the front of the screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the image brightness on the screen is from about 2.5 to about 400 foot-candles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein the brightness is measured normal to the screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the surface of the screen initially receiving the imaging rays comprises a lenticular material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the surface of the screen initially receiving the imaging rays comprises a plurality of parallel substantially semi-cylindrical transparent ridges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the surface of the screen initially receiving the imaging rays comprises a Fresnel lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the image is from 5 to 30 diameters larger than the original material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the reflecting surfaces are first-surface mirrors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the reflecting surfaces are planar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the reflecting means is an Amici prism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the reflecting means is two mirrors disposed at right angles to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the stage includes means for moving the textual material in two dimensions parallel to the stage and maintaining the material a substantially constant distance from the objective.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 1 including means for forced air cooling of the illuminating means and means for shutting off the illuminating means when the cooling means is inoperative.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the screen is vertically above the stage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein a secondary objective is used to modify the real image formed by the objective.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-21 | 1989-04-22 | 1989-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-21 | 1993-04-22 | 1993-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-21 | 1997-04-22 | 1997-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |