IE83996B1 - A viewing device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a viewing device and especially to a magnifying device for magnifying text, picture or other object and displaying the magnified object on an integral screen. Such a device has application for the partially sighted or, more generally, when object or text magnification is required.

A number of different magnifying devices of this type are available. However, the current devices suffer from at least one of several disadvantages including that they are large and bulky, difficult to use, and/or are ineffective in use.

There is therefore a need for an improved viewing device which will address at least some of these issues.

Statements Qf Invention, According to the invention there is provided a viewing device comprising a support, a platform for receiving an object to be viewed, such as a text or a picture, a camera for focussing on the object to be viewed, and an integral screen on which an image of the object is to be displayed, the camera being mounted in close proximity to the screen, immediately behind the screen, with a viewing axis from the camera to the object to be viewed being substantially parallel to the screen, the support supporting the camera with a sufficient distance between the camera and the object to be viewed to allow the camera to focus on the object, and the platform being adjustable to facilitate movement of the object to be viewed relative to the camera.

Preferably the screen is a substantially flat screen same as a liquid crystal screen.

In one embodiment the screen is movable relative to the support for adjusting a users viewing angle. Preferably the screen is pivotally movable relative to the support.

Most preferably the pivot axis about which the screen is movable is located below the screen. It is preferred that the screen is movable from a stored position in which the screen lies substantially flat to an extended viewing position.

Ideally the platform is adjustable about two axes, typically the x and y axes.

Preferably the device comprises locking means for locking the platform in a desired position and/or orientation. Usually the platform is mounted on the support.

In one embodiment the support comprises a pair of side supports which are spaced apart to receive the platform therebetween. Preferably the support includes a rear cross member extending between the side supports.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the device comprises a display assembly comprising a display front section and a display rear section, the screen being mounted to the display front section and the camera being mounted between the display front and rear sections.

In one embodiment the device comprises integral illuminating means for illuminating the object to be viewed by the camera. Preferably shading means are provided between the illuminating means and the camera.

In one embodiment the viewing device comprises a magnifying system in which a locator is positioned to indicate the current optical centre of an image at a particular magnification, the magnification is altered, and the locator/and or object is moved so that the locator is over a desired area of the object, and the magnification is restored.

At this stage the locator may be removed from view.

In a preferred embodiment the magnification is reduced so that the viewer can see a viewed image in relation to a larger view of the object.

Brief description of the Drawings, The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a side View of a viewing device according to the invention with a viewing screen in a flattened storage configuration; Fig. 2 is a front View of the device of Fig. l with the screen in an upright viewing configuration; Fig. 3 is a rear isometric view of the device in the configuration of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the viewing device.

Dild riin Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a viewing device 1, comprising a support 2, a platform 3 for receiving a text, picture or other object to be viewed, a camera 5 for focusing on an object to be viewed, and an integral screen 6 on which an image of the object is to be displayed for viewing.

The support 2 comprises a pair of die cast support legs 10 and associated covers 11.

The legs 10 are spaced apart to receive the platform 3 therebetween. A stabilising rear chassis support 12 extends between the legs 10. In this case the platform 3 is adjustable/movable about x and y axes to move the object relative to the camera 5.

X and Y friction brakes 14, 15 are used to control the movement of the platform 3 in known manner.

A display assembly for the screen 6 and the camera 5 comprises a display rear section 20 and a display front section 21. The screen 6 which is a flat screen such as a liquid crystal screen is mounted to the display front section 21. An electronic keypad 25 and associated circuit board 26 are also mounted to the display front section 21. A main circuit board is mounted behind the screen 6.

The camera 5 is housed in a camera mounting bracket 30 immediately behind the screen 6 and between the display front and rear sections 20, 21 above the platform 3.

A display chassis 35 below the bracket 30 includes angled sections 36 to provide shading or shielding means to shade the camera 5 from direct illumination by illuminating means in the form of fluorescent bulbs 40 mounted to the chassis 35 and thereby prevent glare or reflection. Ballast 45 is also provided.

The display assembly includes oppositely directed pivot lugs 50 on the display rear section 20 which are pivotally mounted to the support legs 2. The lugs 50 facilitate pivotal movement of the display assembly from a generally horizontal orientation as illustrated in Fig. 1 for storage and transportation to a raised extended orientation as illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4. The display assembly can also be readily adjusted to accommodate a users desired viewing angle.

The invention provides a flat panel closed circuit television reader in a compact and collapsible format.

It will be noted that the axis of the camera is substantially parallel to the screen. This provides a particularly compact yet efficient system.

It will also be noted that the pivot axis about which the screen is adjustable is located below the screen. This provides greater flexibility of adjustment to suit a user without adversely affecting the optical characteristics. In particular, the screen can be tilted backwards so that users can look down on the image.

The pivot about which the screen can be adjusted is preferably provided with a friction bearing to allow the screen to be readily adjusted while retaining the screen in the desired position.

Despite the fact that the pivot point for the folding screen is below the integrally mounted camera, the camera does not need to be refocused when the screen is tilted to suit the user. A shorter distance between the centre/bottom of the screen and the viewing object/platform/table has been achieved by mounting the camera immediately behind the screen.

The invention provides a text, picture and object magnifying device, which folds flat for transport. The device uses a liquid crystal screen, enabling an integral rear- mounted television camera to display the text, picture or object on the screen. The compactness of the device is achieved by mounting the camera directly behind the screen, allowing the camera to achieve a sufficient distance from the object, to allow it to focus, without the use of complex or extra wide angle lenses (which would distort the image), or mirrors (which reduce contrast). The invention facilitates a level viewing line between the screen centre and the viewers horizontal centre of vision, enabling them to View the screen without the need to elevate their head, as is commonplace with magnifying devices, which use CRT type VDUs or which mount the camera below the VDU.

It will also be noted that the integrated control panel, mounted in the same plane as the screen allows the user to operate the controls without refocusing their vision or moving their head. The dual leg chassis enhances camera stability.

The device has application for the partially sighted or others who might require object or text magnification.

In one embodiment of the invention the viewing device comprises a magnifying system in which the user presses a control button on a viewing unit. This causes a locator to be placed on the screen indicating the current optical centre of the image.

The current level of magnification is stored and the magnification of the camera is reduced to a much lower level (ideally by the use of a motorised lens).

The user can now both see the position they are currently viewing (which is indicated by the locator) in relation to a much larger view of the object/page, and move the object/page so that the locator is over the area they wish to magnify. At this stage the user presses a control, and the magnification is restored to its former level and the locator is removed from view.

The locator may take the form of a rectangle or arrow or any other figure to indicate the optical centre. It would ideally be generated by an on—screen display system to overlay the figure at the optical centre of the image.

The on—screen display system may alter the video signal at a certain point in relation to the horizontal and vertical synchronisation pulses to produce the desired figure on the screen.

The current level of magnification would be determined directly or indirectly by a transducer on the magnification lens.

Such an arrangement overcomes the problem with conventional closed circuit television magnifier systems for the partially sighted in which the level of magnification is often such that the user has difficulty in knowing the location that they are currently viewing on the page (or other object) and/or locating the area on the page (or other object) that they wish to view on the screen.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS A viewing device comprising a support, a platform for receiving an object to be viewed, such as a text or a picture, a camera for focussing on the object to be viewed, and an integral screen on which an image of the object is to be displayed, the camera being mounted in close proximity to the screen, immediately behind the screen, with a viewing axis from the camera to the object to be viewed being substantially parallel to the screen, the support supporting the camera with a sufficient distance between the camera and the object to be viewed to allow the camera to focus on the object, and the platform being adjustable to facilitate movement of the object to be viewed relative to the camera. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the screen is a flat screen such as a liquid crystal screen. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the screen is movable relative to the support for adjusting a users viewing angle. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the screen is pivotally movable relative to the support. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein a pivot axis about which the screen is movable is located below the screen. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the screen is movable from a stored position in which the screen lies substantially flat to an extended viewing position. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the platform is adjustable about two axes. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the platform is adjustable about the x and y axes. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 including locking means for locking the platform in a desired position and/or orientation. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the platform is mounted on the support. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support comprises a pair of side supports which are spaced apart to receive the platform therebetween. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the support includes a rear cross member extending between the side supports. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device comprises a display assembly comprising a display front section and a display rear section, the screen being mounted to the display front section and the camera being mounted between the display front and rear sections. A device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising integral illuminating means for illuminating an object to be viewed by the camera. A device as claimed in claim 14 comprising shading means between the illuminating means and the camera. A viewing device as claimed in any preceding claim including an integrated control panel for the screen, the control panel being mounted in the same plane as the screen. A viewing device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a magnification system. A viewing device as claimed in claim 17 wherein, in the magnification system the user presses a button on the viewing device, a locator is placed on the screen indicating the current optical centre of the image, the current level of magnification is stored, and the magnification is reduced to a lower level. A viewing device as claimed in claim 18 wherein, after reduction of the magnification, a user moves the object so that the locator is indicates an area to be magnified, and the magnification is restored. A viewing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.