AU2016208272B2

AU2016208272B2 - Device for Expanding Field of Vision

Info

Publication number: AU2016208272B2
Application number: AU2016208272A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gibson McMillan Owen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-08-01
Filing date: 2016-07-25
Publication date: 2019-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 2036-07-25
Also published as: AU2016208272A1

Abstract

Abstract A device 40 comprises first and second units 42 to be disposed respectively to the left and right sides of the spectacle wearer's face. Each unit 42 comprises an externally facing camera 44 and an internally facing display screen 46. The units 42 are adapted to be mounted or positioned at the hinge portion of the spectacles 10, where the user's peripheral vision is typically blocked or limited. The display screens 46 are curved concavely to generally match the curve of the human face or follow the vision contour provided by the eyewear 10. The display screens 46 are disposed to extend inwardly from the respective side edges of the lenses 12. The screens 46 extend partly into the field of view of the lens 12. The cameras 44 are respectively directed in use towards the blocked field of vision 204. /" 14 201: 10

Description

Device for Expanding Field of Vision

Field of the Invention (1) The present invention relates to a device for expanding the field of vision of eyewear wearers and eyewear wearers of drivers of vehicles. The present invention is also a device for expanding the field of vision of those persons who have lost in whole or part left and right peripheral fields of vision by virtue of a medical condition/disease/disorder generally described as medical loss in whole or part of left and right fields of vision. An example of such loss is the disease called homonymous hemianopia All such diseases of the eye could be called medical lost and or limited visual field defects

Background of the Invention.

(2) Wearers of eyewear, in particular spectacles or sunglasses, typically do not use or are not able to use their furthest left and right side peripheral fields of vision. This is because such wearers tend to look only in a forward direction where the lenses of the eyewear provide the clearest vision. In addition such peripheral fields of extreme vision are blocked and hindered by the opaque nature of the rims and arms of the spectacles. It is calculated at least 30+ degrees of peripheral vision is lost when wearing spectacles. This however can lead to difficulties for such wearers in situations where use of peripheral vision is important, such as when driving, walking through traffic, or operating machinery. Similarly, the view of vehicle drivers can be blocked by parts of the vehicle, whether they wear eyewear or not.

(3) The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

(4) It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention (5) According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a device for providing peripheral vision to eyewear wearers, the device comprising:

at least one unit having an inwardly directed display screen to be disposed adjacent a lateral side edge of a lens of the eyewear, the at least one unit comprising an outwardly directed camera connected to the display screen.

(6) In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises two units each having a display screen and a camera, the two units to be disposed in use at the respective opposite lateral edges of the eyewear lenses.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A device for providing peripheral vision to spectacle wearers, the device comprising:

at least one unit having an inwardly directed display screen to be disposed adjacent a lateral side edge of a lens of the spectacle, the at least one unit comprising an outwardly directed camera connected to the display screen, wherein the camera is to be positioned at a hinge portion of the spectacles where the user’s peripheral vision is blocked or limited, the camera capturing the image in the user’s lateral field of vision and such image is reproduced and displayed to the internally directed display screen to reproduce the lost or blocked section of the user’s lateral field of vision.
2. The device of claim 1 comprising two units each having an inwardly directed display screen and an outwardly directed camera, the two units to be disposed in use at the respective opposite lateral edges of the eyewear lenses.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the display screen is curved concavely.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the display screen is of a height of no greater than 25% of the height of the lens.
5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a power source connected to the unit or an electrical lead connectable to a power source.
6. The device of claim 1 further comprising storage means for recording video and/or audio captured by the camera.
7. The device of claim 2 wherein the units are joined to each other by a connecting member.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the unit includes adjustment means for adjusting the viewing angle, direction, and/or the zoom of the camera.
9. An eyewear having the device of any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. The eyewear of claim 9 wherein the device is integral with the eyewear.

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FIGURE 2

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FIGURE 3