Abstract: Disclosed is a magnification device with multiple orientations. This allows a blind or low vision user to select the best orientation for the task being performed. The device includes both opened and closed orientations. It is further configurable into document reading, near object inspection, far object inspection, and self inspection modes. The camera of the device can be manipulated by the user depending upon which of these orientations is selected. Furthermore, the camera automatically adjusts itself into one of two pre-set configurations whenever the device is opened or closed.

Abstract: A method of locking magnified screen views including the steps of magnifying a portion of a graphic user interface on a first monitor to establish a first magnified view having upper, lower, left and right boundaries, magnifying a portion of the graphic user interface on a second monitor to establish a second magnified view having upper, lower, left and right boundaries, whereby the graphic user interface of the first monitor is extended in the direction of the second monitor, responsive to an end-user selectable setting, restricting pointer indicia movement to an area defined by the boundaries of each view that are not between first and second monitor, and responsive to pointer indicia moving from first monitor towards second monitor displaying pointer indicia within second magnified view responsive to pointer indicia crossing the boundary of first magnified view in the direction of second monitor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a video processor for a magnifier camera. In particular, the disclosure relates to a video processor that eliminates the use of a frame buffer. This, in turn, reduces the latency otherwise present in the video signal. The disclosed video processor also allows selected portions of the display to be shaded. This highlights the non-shaded portions of the display while at the same time allowing the entire object to be perceived by the user.

Abstract: Some described embodiments relate to techniques for editing markup elements of a markup language document to emphasize a portion of the visible content elements of the markup language document. The techniques may be implemented in any suitable manner, including via scripting language code (e.g., JavaScript) that is incorporated into the markup language document but is not preconfigured with information regarding the markup language document or any other markup language document. The scripting language code may perform the editing automatically, and based on an automatic analysis of markup elements of the markup language document. Some embodiments may include determining the portion of the markup language document to be emphasized by identifying content of interest to a user, including by determining a set of related content through analyzing a structure of markup elements of the markup language document and/or layout of visible content elements of the markup language document.

Abstract: Techniques for programmatically magnifying one or more visible content elements of at least one markup language document, so as to increase the display size of those visible content elements. A magnification facility may be configured to apply multiple different zoom techniques. The magnification facility may be configured to evaluate the markup language document(s) at a time that the document(s) are being processed for display to select which of the multiple different zoom techniques may be applied at a time to increase a display size of visible content elements relative to a default display size for those elements. The magnification facility may be incorporated within the markup language document(s) and executed by a viewing application that processes markup language documents. For example, the markup language document(s) may form a web page and the magnification facility may be implemented as scripting language code incorporated into the document(s) of the web page.

Abstract: Techniques for programmatically magnifying one or more visible content elements of at least one markup language document, so as to increase the display size of those visible content elements. A magnification facility may be configured to apply multiple different zoom techniques. The magnification facility may be configured to evaluate the markup language document(s) at a time that the document(s) are being processed for display to select which of the multiple different zoom techniques may be applied at a time to increase a display size of visible content elements relative to a default display size for those elements. The magnification facility may be incorporated within the markup language document(s) and executed by a viewing application that processes markup language documents. For example, the markup language document(s) may form a web page and the magnification facility may be implemented as scripting language code incorporated into the document(s) of the web page.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable magnifier camera with both storage and deployed configurations. In the storage configuration, the entire assembly can be carried via an associated handle. The camera is designed to rest on a desktop, or other planar surface, in the deployed configuration. When deployed, a housing and camera arm are positioned in a cantilevered arrangement over top of an object to be viewed. A camera housing, with an associated camera, is pivotally connected to the camera arm and is positioned over the object upon the camera being placed into a deployed configuration.

Abstract: A method of selectively modifying output of a computer screen. An application hosts an electronic document having a background, alphanumerical characters, and one or more images. A modification tool performs a first modification step in which the modification tool modifies color and/or brightness of all content displayed on the computer screen. The invention identifies and analyzes images within that content to determine whether each image is a real-world image, such as a photograph. A second modification step, which is opposite to the first modification step, is applied to each real-world image, thereby reversing initial modification and returning the image to original, unmodified form. The computer screen outputs the modified electronic document having a modified background and modified text, but outputs the real-world image in its original, unmodified form.

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 screen magnification software feature that listens to internal messages within an operating system and automatically detects an input control coming into focus and sets a primary magnified view port on that input control. As an end user interacts with the input control the software further listens for operating system messaging indicating a change in an output region responsive to the interaction with the input control. Upon detecting this output region change, a secondary magnified view port is displays simultaneously with the primary magnified view port on a graphic user interface, the focus staying within the primary magnified view port. The end user has magnified views of both the control she is interacting with (e.g., a virtual calculator keypad of buttons) in the primary view port and the output region (e.g., a text box showing the calculated result) in the secondary view port.

Abstract: A computer program for rendering a magnified graphic user interface (GUI) establishes an initial magnification level for the graphic user interface and the pointing indicia. The GUI and the pointing indicia are magnified in synchronization until the magnification convergence point is reached. At magnification levels above the convergence point, magnification of the GUI and the pointing indicia becomes decoupled, and only GUI is magnified while the pointing indicia remain at the convergence magnification level. If the GUI magnification level falls below the convergence point, the magnification of GUI and the pointing indicia is recoupled and magnification becomes synchronized. Floor and ceiling magnification values for the pointing indicia may also be established.

Abstract: Disclosed is a video magnifier. In particular, the disclosure relates to a desktop video magnifier that is design to be portable. The magnifier includes a high definition camera that is mounted upon a flexible arm. The camera arm swivels and pivots to allow the user to properly position the camera over the object to be viewed. The device is supported by a stand and a base. The stand includes a handle with a trough. The flexible arm is dimensioned to be received within the trough with the device in the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A screen reader application for visually impaired users suppresses unwanted content that is output by Braille or text-to-speech. The invention accesses, but does not modify, the document object model of the web page and enumerates web page elements for the end user to either hide or skip to. The end user selections are saved as rules which may be applied according to various levels of scope include web page specific, site specific or web-wide. A screen magnification application for visually impaired users automatically sets the visual focus and magnification level on a web page element according to end-user selection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnifier for use by blind or low vision users. The magnifier includes a camera, such as a CMOS image sensor, that displays enlarged images upon a screen for easy viewing. The magnifier further includes a handle that is pivotally interconnected to a housing to allow for handheld use in a variety of different configurations.

Abstract: A portable magnifier camera with an associated display housing, base and handle. The camera can be selectively positioned into a variety of configurations, including: a first closed configuration wherein the display and base are in facing relation; a second opened configuration wherein the display is angled with respect to the base; and a third hand-held configuration wherein a handle is pivoted outwardly to permit a user to hold the camera relative to a distant object. The angle of the camera adjusts automatically in each configuration to ensure that the camera's light of slight is perpendicular to the object plane. These configurations enable a user to effectively view objects of differing size and at varying distances.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnifier that is adapted to rest upon a table. The magnifier includes an articulated camera arm that permits an associated camera to be pointed in a number of different directions. This permits the camera to focus upon, and enlarge, both distant and nearby objects. The magnifier also includes pivotal support legs. The legs have a first locked position to support the magnifier upon a table and a second position wherein the legs are locked in position adjacent the housing of the magnifier. This permits the magnifier to be readily transportable and stowable to accommodate the needs of the user.