US4979508A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for generating phosphenes
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-04-11
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Granted: 1990-12-25
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Expires: 2007-04-11
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus and method produce visual sensations by applying low voltages through conductive electrodes to the outside of a person's head, for transmission by natural mechanisms to the nervous system--to entertain or inform a sighted person, or to help a blind person to locate nearby objects. As to entertainment, the apparatus generates various waveshapes, and an operator directs one or more to the electrodes. The operator also manually varies waveshape parameters such as frequency, amplitude, duty cycle and dc bias--or controls them with automatic sweep devices at selected sweep rates. Various wavetrains are combined at the electrodes or in the person's head for more-elaborate effects. The electrode wavetrains or necessary control signals are also received for playback. As to information, the apparatus produces coded patterns or even rough analogs of normal visual scenes. As to aiding the blind, the apparatus responds to a sonar signal by placing phosphenes in the perceived visual field roughly where a normal person would see nearby objects.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen C. Beck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/08; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/36046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A programmable phosphene generator, requiring no intracranial implant, for producing visual sensations in a person; said generator comprising: means for generating a voltage wavetrain that is variable and for responding to control signals to vary the voltage wavetrain; means, responsive to external inputs, for generating substantially continuously varying control signals, to control the voltage-generating means to substantially continuously vary the wavetrain; means for applying the control signals from the control-signal generating means to the wavetrain-generating means; means for storing and later playing back the control signals; and means for applying the wavetrain to the outside of such a person's head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A programmable phosphene generator, requiring no intracranial implant, for producing visual sensations in a person; said generator comprising: means for generating a voltage wavetrain that is variable and for responding to control signals to vary the voltage wavetrain; means, responsive to external inputs, for generating substantially continuously varying control signals, to control the voltage-generating means to substantially continuously vary the wavetrain; means for applying the control signals from the control-signal generating means to the wavetrain-generating means; means for storing and later playing back the control signals; and means for applying the wavetrain to the outside of such a person's head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
A programmable phosphene generator, requiring no intracranial implant, for producing visual sensations in a person; said generator comprising: means for generating a voltage wavetrain that is variable and for responding to control signals to vary the voltage wavetrain; external inputs that comprise manually operated handles or the like; means, responsive to the external inputs, for generating substantially continuously varying control signals, to control the voltage-generating means to substantially continuously vary the wavetrain; means for applying the control signals from the control-signal generating means to the wavetrain-generating means; means for storing and later playing back the control signals; and means for applying the wavetrain to the outside of such a person's head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
A programmable phosphene generator, requiring no intracranial implant, for producing visual sensations in a person; said generator comprising: means for generating a voltage wavetrain that is variable and for responding to control signals to vary the voltage wavetrain; external inputs that comprise manually operated handles or the like; means, responsive to the external inputs, for generating substantially continuously varying control signals, to control the voltage-generating means to substantially continuously vary the wavetrain; means for applying the control signals from the control-signal generating means to the wavetrain-generating means; means for storing and later playing back the control signals; and means for applying the wavetrain to the outside of such a person's head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
A programmable phosphene generator, requiring no intracranial implant, for producing visual sensations in a person; said generator comprising: means for generating a voltage wavetrain that is variable and for responding to control signals to vary the voltage wavetrain; at least one eternal input that comprises a source of electrical signals derived from music; means, responsive to the external inputs, for generating substantially continuously varying control signals, to control the voltage-generating means to substantially continuously vary the wavetrain; means for applying the control signals from the control-signal generating means to the wavetrain-generating means; means for storing and later playing back the control signals; and means for applying the wavetrain to the outside of such a person's head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
A programmable phosphene generator, requiring no intracranial implant, for producing visual sensations in a person; said generator comprising: means for generating a voltage wavetrain that is variable and for responding to control signals to vary the voltage wavetrain; at least one eternal input that comprises a source of electrical signals derived from music; means, responsive to the external inputs, for generating substantially continuously varying control signals, to control the voltage-generating means to substantially continuously vary the wavetrain; means for applying the control signals from the control-signal generating means to the wavetrain-generating means; means for storing and later playing back the control signals; and means for applying the wavetrain to the outside of such a person's head.
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) | 1993-12-24 | 1994-06-25 | 1994-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-06-25 | 1998-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-24 | 2002-06-25 | 2002-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |