Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for combating light sensitivity, or photophobia, for people with low vision. Both the apparatus and method filter particular wavelengths of light associated with photophobia. This filtering is achieved while maintaining a luminance that is acceptable to the user and that maintains contrast. The apparatus of the disclosure is a mechanical filter that can be applied over an electronic screen. The method utilizes software and a filtering module associated with either the CPU or GPU of a computer. The filtering module processes a video signal by eliminating certain targeted wavelengths of light.

Abstract: A vision aid device comprises a housing, an eyepiece for holding up to an eye and viewing into the vision aid device, a camera mounted within the housing, a controller and memory operably coupled to the camera, a motion sensor operably coupled to the controller and a display operably coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to: activate the camera to capture an electronic image; store the electronic image in the memory; display on the display a magnified image which is a magnified view of the electronic image; and electronically pan the electronic image from the magnified image to display successive magnified images based on motion information generated by the motion sensor, the motion information based on motion of the vision aid device as sensed by the motion sensor.

Abstract: A vision aid device comprises a housing having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The proximal end has an eyepiece for holding up to an eye and viewing into the vision aid device to view a video display mounted within the housing. A camera is mounted within the housing at the distal end of the housing and is aimed in the direction of the longitudinal axis. A controller is mounted in the housing and is operably coupled to the camera and the video display. The controller is configured to: activate the camera to capture images in a field of view of the camera; and magnify the images to a currently set magnification and display on the display the magnified images on the video display. The device may have a finder function for toggling between the magnified view and an unmagnified view.

Abstract: A viewing aid includes a camera, a viewing surface within a field of view of the camera, a memory, a display, and software programmed to track a tracking element within the field of view. Viewing material is placed on the viewing surface. The camera, viewing surface, and material all remain substantially stationary. The camera captures and stores an initial image of the material in the memory. The software then tracks the location of a tracking element within the field of view then maps the location to a portion of the initial image in memory using an X-Y coordinate system, and/or identifies character elements of the material adjacent the tracking element then maps the character elements to corresponding character elements of the initial image in memory. An enhanced image is then displayed on the display corresponding to the mapped portion of the initial image.

Abstract: A vision aid device comprises a housing, an eyepiece for holding up to an eye and viewing into the vision aid device, a camera mounted within the housing, a controller and memory operably coupled to the camera, a motion sensor operably coupled to the controller and a display operably coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to: activate the camera to capture an electronic image; store the electronic image in the memory; display on the display a magnified image which is a magnified view of the electronic image; and electronically pan the electronic image from the magnified image to display successive magnified images based on motion information generated by the motion sensor, the motion information based on motion of the vision aid device as sensed by the motion sensor.

Abstract: A viewing aid includes a camera, a viewing surface within a field of view of the camera, a memory, a display, and software programmed to track a tracking element within the field of view. Viewing material is placed on the viewing surface. The camera, viewing surface, and material all remain substantially stationary. The camera captures and stores an initial image of the material in the memory. The software then tracks the location of a tracking element within the field of view then maps the location to a portion of the initial image in memory using an X-Y coordinate system, and/or identifies character elements of the material adjacent the tracking element then maps the character elements to corresponding character elements of the initial image in memory. An enhanced image is then displayed on the display corresponding to the mapped portion of the initial image.