US5508699A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Identifier/locator device for visually impaired
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-10-25
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Granted: 1996-04-16
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Expires: 2014-10-25
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a locator device for the visually impaired including a transmitter and a dual sensing system having a receiver with earphones which are attached to opposite sides of a unit worn on the user's head. The sensing system is capable of determining a direction and distance of the signal, and capable of producing first and second audible notifiers in each of the earphones. The notifier produced in each earphone is different and is associated with the direction and distance of the transmitted signal. When the notifier produced in each earphone is the same, the user is directly in front of the desired object to be located.
Inventors
- 👤 Hildy S. Silverman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:05
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B21/00; G09B21/001; G09B21/006; A; A61; A61H; A61H3/00; A61H3/06; A61H3/061; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/16; G06F3/167; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A device for guiding the visually impaired comprising: (a) a transmitting unit including means for transmitting an inaudible signal, said transmitting unit being mountable to a desired object, and (b) a receiving unit, said receiving unit being attached to a housing unit to be worn by a user, and including means for receiving said signal in connection with means for processing, said means for processing being further in connection with means for amplifying and broadcasting; wherein said means for processing comprises distance calculator means for determining a distance between said transmitting unit and said receiving unit, direction discriminator means for sensing a direction of the transmitted signal, and source decoder means for decoding a message; said means for processing further comprising an information discriminator and source generator in electrical connection with said distance calculator means, direction discriminator means and source decoder means; said information discriminator and source generator having means for generating a first and second audible notifier associated with said distance, said direction and said message; and said means for amplifying and broadcasting having means for sounding said first and second audible notifiers, said first and second audible notifiers being associated with an identification and a location of said transmitting unit on said desired object such that said first and second audible notifiers are different unless the receiving unit is faced directly in front of the transmitting unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
229 words
A device for guiding the visually impaired comprising: (a) a transmitting unit including means for transmitting an inaudible signal, said transmitting unit being mountable to a desired object, and (b) a receiving unit, said receiving unit being attached to a housing unit to be worn by a user, and including means for receiving said signal in connection with means for processing, said means for processing being further in connection with means for amplifying and broadcasting; wherein said means for processing comprises distance calculator means for determining a distance between said transmitting unit and said receiving unit, direction discriminator means for sensing a direction of the transmitted signal, and source decoder means for decoding a message; said means for processing further comprising an information discriminator and source generator in electrical connection with said distance calculator means, direction discriminator means and source decoder means; said information discriminator and source generator having means for generating a first and second audible notifier associated with said distance, said direction and said message; and said means for amplifying and broadcasting having means for sounding said first and second audible notifiers, said first and second audible notifiers being associated with an identification and a location of said transmitting unit on said desired object such that said first and second audible notifiers are different unless the receiving unit is faced directly in front of the transmitting unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said means for amplifying and broadcasting comprises a set of earphones.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said information discriminator and source generator includes programmed means for prioritizing predetermined information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 3, wherein said programmed means is a microprocessing chip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said transmitter unit further comprises programmed means for prioritizing predetermined information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 5, wherein said programmed means is a microprocessing chip or an encoder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising means for attaching said transmitting unit to said desired object, said means for attaching being selected from the group consisting of adhesive, hook and loop type fasteners, screws and rivets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said inaudible signal is selected from the group consisting of RF signals and ultrasonic signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said housing unit is selected from the group consisting of a pair of glasses and a hat.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
239 words
A device for guiding the visually impaired comprising, (a) a transmitting unit including means for transmitting an inaudible signal, said transmitting unit being mountable to a desired object, and (b) a receiving unit, said receiving unit being attached to a housing unit to be worn on a head of a user, and including means for receiving said signal in connection with means for processing, said means for processing being further in connection with means for amplifying and broadcasting; wherein said means for processing comprises distance calculator means for determining a distance between said transmitting unit and said receiving unit, direction discriminator means for sensing a direction of the transmitted signal, and source decoder means for decoding a message; said means for processing further comprising an information discriminator and source generator in electrical connection with said distance calculator means, direction discriminator means and source decoder means; said information discriminator and source generator having means for generating a first and second audible notifier associated with said distance, said direction and said message; and said means for amplifying and broadcasting comprising a controller, amplifier and left and right earphones for sounding said first and second audible notifiers, said first and second audible notifiers being associated with an identification and a location of said transmitting unit on said desired object such that said first and second audible notifiers are different unless the receiving unit is faced directly in front of the transmitting unit.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
239 words
A device for guiding the visually impaired comprising, (a) a transmitting unit including means for transmitting an inaudible signal, said transmitting unit being mountable to a desired object, and (b) a receiving unit, said receiving unit being attached to a housing unit to be worn on a head of a user, and including means for receiving said signal in connection with means for processing, said means for processing being further in connection with means for amplifying and broadcasting; wherein said means for processing comprises distance calculator means for determining a distance between said transmitting unit and said receiving unit, direction discriminator means for sensing a direction of the transmitted signal, and source decoder means for decoding a message; said means for processing further comprising an information discriminator and source generator in electrical connection with said distance calculator means, direction discriminator means and source decoder means; said information discriminator and source generator having means for generating a first and second audible notifier associated with said distance, said direction and said message; and said means for amplifying and broadcasting comprising a controller, amplifier and left and right earphones for sounding said first and second audible notifiers, said first and second audible notifiers being associated with an identification and a location of said transmitting unit on said desired object such that said first and second audible notifiers are different unless the receiving unit is faced directly in front of the transmitting unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 10, wherein said information discriminator and source generator includes programmed means for prioritizing predetermined information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 11, wherein said programmed means is a microprocessing chip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 10, wherein said transmitter unit further comprises programmed means for prioritizing predetermined information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 13, wherein said programmed means is a microprocessing chip or an encoder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 10, further comprising means for attaching said transmitting unit to said desired object, said means for attaching being selected from the group consisting of adhesive, hook and loop type fasteners, screws and rivets.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 10, wherein said inaudible signal is selected from the group consisting of RF signals and ultrasonic signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 10, wherein said housing unit is selected from the group consisting of a pair of glasses and a hat.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
249 words
A device for guiding the visually impaired comprising, (a) a transmitting unit including means for transmitting an inaudible signal, said transmitting unit being mountable to a desired object, and (b) a receiving unit, said receiving unit being attached to a housing unit to be worn on a head of a user, and including means for receiving said signal in connection with means for processing, said means for processing being further in connection with means for amplifying and broadcasting; wherein said means for processing comprises distance calculator means for determining a distance between said transmitting unit and said receiving unit, direction discriminator means for sensing a direction of the transmitted signal, and source decoder means for decoding a message; said means for processing further comprising an information discriminator and source generator in electrical connection with said distance calculator means, direction discriminator means and source decoder means; said information discriminator and source generator having programmed means for prioritizing predetermined information and means for generating a first and second audible notifier associated with said distance, said direction, said message and said predetermined information; and said means for amplifying and broadcasting comprising a controller, amplifier and left and right earphones for sounding said first and second audible notifiers, said first and second audible notifiers being associated with an identification and a location of said transmitting unit on said desired object such that said first and second audible notifiers are different unless the receiving unit is faced directly in front of the transmitting unit.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
249 words
A device for guiding the visually impaired comprising, (a) a transmitting unit including means for transmitting an inaudible signal, said transmitting unit being mountable to a desired object, and (b) a receiving unit, said receiving unit being attached to a housing unit to be worn on a head of a user, and including means for receiving said signal in connection with means for processing, said means for processing being further in connection with means for amplifying and broadcasting; wherein said means for processing comprises distance calculator means for determining a distance between said transmitting unit and said receiving unit, direction discriminator means for sensing a direction of the transmitted signal, and source decoder means for decoding a message; said means for processing further comprising an information discriminator and source generator in electrical connection with said distance calculator means, direction discriminator means and source decoder means; said information discriminator and source generator having programmed means for prioritizing predetermined information and means for generating a first and second audible notifier associated with said distance, said direction, said message and said predetermined information; and said means for amplifying and broadcasting comprising a controller, amplifier and left and right earphones for sounding said first and second audible notifiers, said first and second audible notifiers being associated with an identification and a location of said transmitting unit on said desired object such that said first and second audible notifiers are different unless the receiving unit is faced directly in front of the transmitting unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 18, wherein said inaudible signal is selected from the group consisting of RF signals and ultrasonic signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 18, wherein said housing unit is selected from the group consisting of a pair of glasses and a hat.
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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) | 1999-04-16 | 1999-10-16 | 2000-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-10-16 | 2004-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-16 | 2007-10-16 | 2008-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |