Abstract: An elongated manually manipulable housing contains a photocell at one end for sensing energy levels in the visible frequency spectrum causing said photocell to correspondingly change in electrical conductivity. A portable power source in the housing is coupled to the photocell to provide an electrical signal corresponding to the change in the photocell conductivity. A comparator circuit in the housing compares that signal with an adjustable reference signal to provide an output signal upon a predetermined ratio between the compared signals. A multivibrator circuit in said housing is coupled to said comparator circuit and to a vibration-generating means which produces signals preferably in the audible range, so that upon the occurrence of an output signal, a user discernible, either audible or tactile, vibratory signal is generated.

Abstract: Apparatus for enabling a blind person to determine the status of a plurality of telephone lines from the illumination condition of signal lamps associated therewith which respectively indicate the "ON", "OFF", "RING" or "HOLD" status of each line. Photosensors sense the illumination condition of each lamp and provide first signals in response thereto. The apparatus sequentially and repetitively scans the photosensors and the resultant sequentially appearing first signals are serially and repetitively converted to digitally coded signals which are serially read-into storage means. Means are provided for sequentially and repetitively generating a plurality of audio tone signals respectively having progressively different frequencies, each tone signal corresponding to a particular line. The coded signals are serially read-out of storage at the rate of the tone signal generation and are serially decoded.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing auditory and tactile recognition of a light signal associated with a line-selector pushbutton of a multi-line telephone instrument. A photocell is provided for sensing the light signal. An oscillator generates a sine wave voltage which is amplified and applied to excite a piezoelectric crystal into vibration in response to activation of the photocell. An auxiliary pushbutton is disposed in alignment with the line selector pushbutton so that manual depression of the auxiliary pushbutton actuates the line selector pushbutton. Vibration of the crystal in response to the light signal acts upon the auxiliary pushbutton to impart the vibration thereto so that the presence of a light signal is sensed by vibration of the auxiliary pushbutton.

Abstract: A polysensory mobility aid comprising first and second signal generating means which produce audio frequency signals, respectively, these signals being coupled to two electrically operable stimulating devices which provide both tactile and auditory stimulation. Each of the signal generating means includes two camera means that generate signals representative of the brightness of optical images projected thereonto. Each signal generating means includes a first fixed frequency signal generator which provides a first signal, and a second variable frequency signal generator which provides a second signal which varies in frequency between limits of a predetermined frequency spectrum, each first and second signal generator being coupled to one of the stimulating devices. Each camera means includes first and second photosensitive devices disposed to receive radiation from a common object.