Blind And Color Blind Patents (Class 273/DIG27)
  • Patent number: 6117031
    Abstract: The kickball information delivery system employs a ball having an internally disposed device for emitting a first sound location signal, a base transmitter unit for emitting a second sound location signal as well as a signal and an information unit to be mounted on a person for emitting a third pulsed sound signal to indicate the location of the person. In addition, the information unit is able to receive the signal and to use the reception of the signal to change the pulse frequency of the third sound signal to indicate alignment with the signal, for example to permit running from home plate to first base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Adam D. A. Malinauskas, Jeremy W. Bristol, Robert J. Goodell, Hilary L. Gutman, Edward S. Hendricks, David M. Steck, William Foley
  • Patent number: 5527033
    Abstract: In a converting device for converting a box score in hockey game eventually to final statistics relating to composite power play, composite penalty efficiency, two-player power-play, two-player penalty efficiency, major power play, major penalty efficiency, composite hot seat, hot seat two-player disadvantage, hot seat major disadvantage, and earned goal average, and wherein the final statistics are, in turn, obtainable from intermediate statistical data, the improvement, wherein the intermediate statistical data are identifiable by a combination of respective letters and/or numbers, and are feedable into a standard calculator or computer so as to obtain the final statistics therefrom and wherein the connecting device is composed of a longitudinal carriage adapted to having a timing chart affixed thereto, and a converting apparatus for obtaining the intermediate statistical data from the box score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Inventors: Anthony Puma, John Mizzi, Erwin S. Teltscher
  • Patent number: 5429507
    Abstract: The present invention will utilize refreshing braille pins to form the symbols displayed on a slot machine. The braille pins will move vertically and independent of each other. A read only memory (ROM) will send the information to the braille pin cluster that will form the braille symbol. At this time of conception of the invention, the play of the slot machine will utilize one coin per play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Edward B. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 5249808
    Abstract: A board game apparatus is provided having a game board on which a pathway is formed and over which playing pieces of respective players are incrementally advanced from a start point to an end point. The pathway includes a plurality of playing spaces serially distributed along the pathway between the start and end points with the playing pieces advanced to a playing space as determined by a random selection of the space to which a player is to advance his playing piece. Each playing space is defined by two discrete indicia that are each selected from respective ones of two indicia series that each include a plurality of diverse indicia with all indicia in each series being distinguishable from all indicia in the other series. The playing spaces are randomly interspersed along the pathway to avoid having same playing spaces disposed adjacent each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: James B. Tarpoff
    Inventor: Ruth L. Batte
  • Patent number: 5120228
    Abstract: An intrinsic perceptual motor training device comprising a data recording apparatus for recording when a patients body moves out of a test area. The data recording apparatus includes a pulse generator that generates a signal pulse whenever a beam of light associated with a test area defining elements is interrupted. The pulse generator is coupled to a strip chart to mark a real time strip chart whenever one of the test area defining beams is interrupted. The pulse generator can also be connected to a computer and the signal pulse used in conjunction with data analysis software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Inventors: William Stahl, James McMullen
  • Patent number: 5011154
    Abstract: The present invention entails a golf teaching aid designed to assist golfers in improving their putting game. The teaching aid of the present invention comprises a frame structure having a pair of extendable and retractable putting guides formed thereon. In an extended position, the putting guide forms and elongated putting area that allows the putter to be placed therebetween and moved through a putting stroke. The presence of the putting guides assist the golfer in achieving a proper stance and also aids the golfer in developing an effective and efficient putting stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Inventor: Sandy W. Bowen
  • Patent number: 4974857
    Abstract: An electronic dart game capable of being played by sight-impaired persons. The game includes a dart face forming a target for darts thrown by the players, the dart face including a plurality of scoring segments. An electronic processor is associated with the dart face for detecting a hit segment and determining the value of the segment which has been hit. An audible announcing device is associated with the processor and is responsive to the processor for audibly announcing sufficient information to direct and score the game without the need for viewing of visible indicators. As a further feature of the invention, as rollout mat is provided having an integral throwing line and affixed to the cabinet. In one condition, the rollout mat is completely stored within the cabinet and in the other can be simply rolled out to automatically position the throwing line, the throwing line being physically perceptible by a sight-impaired person to locate him with respect to the target face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Arachnid, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Beall, Eugene G. Harlan
  • Patent number: 4906193
    Abstract: A perceptual motor training device uses a non-tactile method of training a patient who has suffered some interruption of his neurological functions to recognize the spatial position and orientation of his body and/or the parts thereof. The device includes an alarm that is activated when a portion of the patient's body moves out of a predetermined test area. The alarm alerts the patient without touching the patient so the patient is forced to use his own internal systems to determine the location and orientation of his body and the parts thereof. The test area is defined by beams and/or fields and can include test areas within the overall test area. The device can also be used in conjunction with the training of gross motor developmental sequences as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventors: James McMullen, William Stahl
  • Patent number: 4770419
    Abstract: A portable monorail accessory with traversable carriage for use by blind bowlers to align themselves with a bowling alley in preparing to bowl a ball is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Inventor: Roy Libby
  • Patent number: 4762493
    Abstract: A scented teaching aid to assist in teaching identification of color to scent, and scent to color, wherein crayons made of colored wax, colored chalk, or colored clay are impregnated with a scent corresponding rationally with the color of the crayon. Likewise, molding clay made out of colored clay is impregnated with a scent rationally related to its color. The user of the teaching aid can then be taught to associate scent to color and color to scent. The crayons can be made to be triangular in cross-section to prohibit rolling and to provide far more efficient packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Inventor: Raymond G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4733864
    Abstract: A parlor game in which the "board" is an indoor/outdoor carpet formed of a lower backing sheet or ply and an upper V-lock fiber sheet or ply defined by a plurality of generally parallel ridges and upwardly opening grooves, flock being applied to the upper surface to form bordered game areas and/or numerals therein, and the flock areas being of a vivid color and texture readily distinguishable from the color and texture of the fiber carpet whereby these areas are readily distinguishable by sight-impaired and/or blind individuals to permit the latter to play the game within the parameters thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventor: Ronald C. Casteel
  • Patent number: 4551102
    Abstract: For displaying graphic information, in particular for braille reading, the invention employs small magnetizable balls (38) which are very rapidly patterned on an indented or perforated support (20) so as to partly project therefrom underneath a foil (70) holding the balls against falling out, whereupon the support is moved to a reading plane. Preferably, a lower feeding station (40) distributes balls into all perforations (22) of the support; the balls not required for the desired display are then sucked off in an upper removal station (50) by electromagnets (52) set off in an array aligned with staggered apertures in an upper plate (62). Short-time actuation of selected electromagnets is coordinated with the support motion under electronic control which may provide for time-multiplexed interleaving. A preferred embodiment includes two drums (30, 32) with sprocket wheels (28) arranged to pull a web-like endless belt band (20) with its foil (70) across frame plate (14, 16) of the device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Inventor: Karl Meinzer
  • Patent number: 4452142
    Abstract: A stamp frame in the general form of a cross, includes a rubber stamp at the end of each cross arm and includes, adjacent the rubber stamp, a raised indicia for the finger touch indication of the information on the stamp, and the arms of the cross are of different length, further aiding the touch contact for indentification of the rubber stamp on the end of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Inventor: Robert E. Eckels
  • Patent number: 4404764
    Abstract: A method of information transfer for sightless persons, sighted persons and mixed sightless and sighted persons comprises the steps of choosing and conveying a message from a stock of messages, the messages being set forth on a message medium in optically discernible form and in tactilely discernible form, said forms at least partly corresponding. The optical form comprises text and/or pictorial depictions, and the tactile form comprises braille. The method is especially applicable to greeting cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Handy C. Priester
    Inventors: David V. Wills, Angela B. Wills
  • Patent number: 4349197
    Abstract: A game of identification of shapes and identities particularly adapted for blind children has a rotatable housing with cutouts and pegs on exterior surfaces thereof within and upon which a player places matching pieces from a large plurality of pieces adapted to be stored in the housing and retrieved through a rotatably locking door and a timer and manually operable bell on the housing provide for signalling completion or non-completion of matching operations by a player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Inventor: Lester R. Livick
  • Patent number: 4330285
    Abstract: An orientator, for enabling visually handicapped persons to examine objects having projecting details, such as a relief illustration, comprising a grid structure for overlaying the object, having tactilely identifiable reference points distributed thereon, and means for holding the grid structure in a spaced relationship from the object. The tactilely identifiable reference points may define, for example, sectos of a circle or rectangle, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Inventor: Henry T. Mitchell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4320940
    Abstract: Optical filtering elements having two opposed surfaces and including at least one thin layer of stable non-reflective fluorescent material provide transparent articles which, when exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation at one surface of the fluorescent layer, absorb certain wavelengths within the fluorescent layer and emit other wavelengths at the opposed surface of the fluorescent layer. In preferred embodiments, when radiation (light) in the visible range (about 400 nm to about 700 nm) is incident on the element from one side, certain wavelengths of radiation which transverse the element are absorbed in the fluorescent layer and other radiation of greater, but also visible wavelengths are emitted from the opposed side without fluorescent light being reflected by the fluorescent layer at the incident side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Inventors: Gary E. Mueller, Timothy D. Ziebarth
  • Patent number: 4320939
    Abstract: Optical filtering elements having two opposed surfaces and including at least one thin layer of stable non-reflective fluorescent material provide transparent articles which, when exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation at one surface of the fluorescent layer, absorb certain wavelengths within the fluorescent layer and emit other wavelengths at the opposed surface of the fluorescent layer. In preferred embodiments, when radiation (light) in the visible range (about 400 nm to about 700 nm) is incident on the element from one side, certain wavelengths of radiation which transverse the element are absorbed in the fluorescent layer and other radiation of greater, but also visible wavelengths are emitted from the opposed side without fluorescent light being reflected by the fluorescent layer at the incident side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Inventor: Gary E. Mueller
  • Patent number: 4285522
    Abstract: Two sets of rectangular shaped tiles in the form of dominoes are provided. Each set of tiles are divided in half to form perfect squares. Each square of the first set are provided with separate identifiable indicia such as color or touch. One square of each tile of the second set of tiles contain a third indicia different than the first two squares on the first set of tiles. The second square on each of the second set of tiles contain the same indicia as the first square on the first set of tiles. The tiles are placed on a substantially flat surface alternately between the first set and the second set with the object being the first to create a pattern of four or more touching similar squares on either a rank, a file or a diagonal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Inventor: Dale E. Turner
  • Patent number: 4281833
    Abstract: A non-visual ball and paddle game played through the medium of sound. Ball location, paddle position and playing field are defined by variations of volume, tone, pitch, frequency and stereo separation by means of stereo earphones worn by each player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Sound Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Sandler, Richard L. Aiani
  • Patent number: 4226420
    Abstract: The invention is a bingo game for blind people. The numbers of the bingo card are made from a tactile material having a surface with a hooked nap. The numbers on the card are covered with discs having a looped nap. Participants in the game can include both those who know the braille system and those who do not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Inventor: Dorothy L. Corday
  • Patent number: 4214382
    Abstract: A training bar to be worn simultaneously by a sighted and a non-sighted runner. The bar comprises a central rod approximately four and one half feet in length having a shock absorber disposed at either end. A belt or harness to be worn around the waist of the runners is attached to each shock absorber with the sighted runner wearing the belt with one end of the bar attached at the rear. The non-sighted runner wears the other belt with the remaining end of the bar attached at the front, so that when the pair are running in tandem they are separated by the length of the training bar. The separation permits both runners to run freely without interfering with one another. A change in the lead runner's speed or direction will be transmitted through the bar to the rear runner. Any shock created by a sudden stop or change in direction will be absorbed by the two shock absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Inventor: Shin Matsutani
  • Patent number: 4212116
    Abstract: An apparaus to improve the mobility of a visually impaired person comprises first and second exciter systems placed on either side of the person and acting to produce light beams which are received by corresponding first and second receivers, and first and second sound devices each with the corresponding associated receiver to produce a distinctive sound when the light beam is interrupted before getting to the receiver. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a cane held by the person so that as the cane is moved into the path of the light beam, the light beam is interrupted. The sounds, or lack thereof, which accompany the movement of the person and/or the cane provide an indication to the person whether the cane is being used properly and/or whether the person is walking in a straight line, e.g., between the light beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1980
    Inventor: James D. Hajduch
  • Patent number: 4156528
    Abstract: Apparatus for indicating color by the sense of touch, which said apparatus is in the form of a game comprising a playing board with playing holes in it and at least two sets of playing pieces, the playing pieces in each said set each having a different shape, and each different shape representing a different color whereby blind, color blind and partially sighted persons can play said game with sighted persons and because said blind, color blind and partially sighted persons can determine color by feeling the shape of the playing pieces they can refer to the color of the playing pieces and are thus not placed at a psychological disadvantage to said sighted persons who play said game by referring to the color of said playing pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1979
    Inventor: John T. Slade
  • Patent number: 4103895
    Abstract: A game or test of skill which is comprised of three principal components: a playing surface that either conceals or suggests a secret pattern of paths, a probe for selecting points on the playing surface, and an indicator that reveals whether a selected point belongs on the pattern of paths. In a preferred form of the game the playing surface is a small card on which is marked a grid that indicates the possible positions and orientations of the concealed paths in the pattern. A start point is indicated on the grid; the player places a hand-held pencil-like probe at the start point and tries to find a continuous path from the start point to the end point. The probe leaves no mark on the card, but the player is aided by the indicator which provides a signal when the probe is on-path--the signal ceases abruptly if the probe is moved off-path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1978
    Inventors: Gerald L. Pressman, Louis Wilk
  • Patent number: 4073070
    Abstract: An amusement and instructional coloring book for the blind wherein the images are recessed into pages of the book to form a tactual image outline for defining the area to be colored. Raised border lines may also be provided to demarcate various portions of the image. A legend written in braille and typescript is also provided for defining the colors of the respective portions of the images. The coloring means also have corresponding visual and tactile indices thereon. Other features include means for the blind to appreciate the actual life-size of the images, variable extents of recessions of the image portions for imparting depth perception to the blind, special textures of the images to impart tactual qualities of the real-life images, and the provision of special paper adaptable to be colored completely by feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Inventor: Jacquelin V. Boston
  • Patent number: 4052073
    Abstract: A blackjack play director having structure including normally deenergized indicator means adapted to be sensed by a player. A plurality of input switches are interconnected with indictor means for exclusive generation of one of four sensible play decisions in terms of a predetermined odds criteria to signal to the player a proper response by actuation of the indicator means in response to actuation of a first of the switches representative of the value of a dealer's up card and one or more of the switches to indicate the status of the player's first two cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1977
    Inventor: Franklin E. Miller