IE86454B1

IE86454B1 - A handheld viewing device

Info

Publication number: IE86454B1
Application number: IE20080922A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Francis Alan Johnston
Original assignee: Ash Technologies Res Ltd
Priority date: 2008-11-18
Filing date: 2008-11-18
Publication date: 2014-11-05
Also published as: GB2471145A; IES20090873A2; IE20080922A1; GB2471145B; GB0920140D0

Abstract

A handheld viewing device (1) comprises a first capturing means to capture a visual image of an object such as a page of reading material, a second copturing means to capture a visual image of an object such as a sign in a public building, means (2) to display either of the visual images captured, and a handle element (6). The first capturing means is pivotably movable relative to the display means (2) from a stowed configuration to a capturing configuration. In the stowed configuration the first capturing means is located at the rear side of the display means (2). The second capturing means is located at the rear side of the display means (2) and is fixed relative to the display means (2). The handle element (6) is slidably movable relative to the display means (2) between a stowed configuration, and a holding configuration in which the handle element (6) is extended outwardly to a side of the display means (2) to enable a user to grip the handle element (6). <Figure 3>

Description

A handheld.viewing device” Introduction This invention relates to a handheld viewing device.

Summary' of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a handhold viewing device as set out in claim 1.

In the stowed configuration the first capturing means may be flush with a base side of the display means. This ensures that the viewing device presents a compact, low profile while in the stowed configuration. Having a distance between the first capturing means and the object being viewed is not necessary when the device is in the stowed configuration. In the capturing configuration the first capturing means may be spaced above ttie object being viewed. This creates the required distance between tbe capturing means and tbe object to enable the desired visual image of the object to be captured.

This arrangement resuits in-a particularly compact device in the stowed configuration. The first capturing means may be biased away from the stowed configuration. Preferably the device comprises means to selectively hold the capturing means in the stowed configuration. Most preferably tbe activation and/or deactivation means is configured to be triggered responsive to the first capturing means being moved relative to the display means between the stowed configuration and the capturing configuration. This arrangement results in a simple, easy to use device, it is not necessary for the user to manually activate and/or deactivate the capturing means and/or the display means.

Because, in tire capturing configuration, the viewing axis of the first capturing means is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the display means and/or substantially perpendicular to the plane of an object being viewed, the device minimises or eliminates any distortion of the visual image.

Preferably, the display means comprises a front side for displaying a visual image and a rear side, the capturing means being located at the rear side of the display means. Ideally, the viewing axis of the second capturing means is substantially perpendicular to ihe plane of the display means. Most preferably, the device comprises a handle element. The handle element may be movable relative to the display means between a stowed configuration and a holding configuration. This airangement results in a particularly compact device in the stowed configuration. Preferably the handle element comprises a holder part for holding one or more components.

Preferably the cover element comprises a holder part for holding one or more components. The activation and/or deactivation means may be configured to be nigger ed responsive io the handle element being moved relative to tire display means between the stowed configuration and the holding configuration. Most preferably the activation and/or deactivation means is configured to be triggered responsive to the cover element being moved relative to the display means between the covering configuration and the capturing configuration. This arrangement results in a simple, easy to use device. It is nor necessary for the user to manually activate and/or deactivate the capturing means and/or tlie display means. in The first capturing means may be suitable for capturing a visual image of an object which is relatively close to the device. The second capturing means may be suitable for capturing a visual image of an object which is further away from the device. Preferably the device comprises means to determine which of tire fust capturing means and the second capturing means was most recently activated. Ideally the display means is configured to display a visual image captured by whichever of the first capturing means and the second capturing means was most recently activated. This arrangement results in a simple, easy to use device, it is not necessary for the use]· to manually switch between the first capturing means and tlie second capturing 2(1 means. in anothej· case the device comprises means to determine the orientation of the display means. Preferably the device comprises means to control operation of tlie display means and/or the capturing means. Ideally the device comprises means to activate and/or deactivate the control means. Most preferably the control means is configured te be activated and/or deactivated responsive to the orientation of the display means.

In this manner the device may configure itself automatically to suit the user. For example if the user is holding the device in the user’s right hand, the appropriate control buttons of the device may be activated to suit the position of the fingers and thumb of the user’s right hand.

The device of the invention may be portable. The device may be configured to be carried in a pocket. Ideally the device is sized to be carried in a pocket. The portable nature of the device provides for ease of use. A visually impaired person may simply carry the device with them, for example in a pocket, so that the device is available for use whenever required.

The device of the invention may be configured to magnify the visual image so that a visually impaired person may be better able to read the image.

Detailed Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof. given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an isometric view from the front of a handheld viewing device according to the invention with a first capturing means in a stowed configuration and with a handle element in a stowed configuration, fig. 2 is an isometric view from the rear of the device of Fig. 1 with the first capturing means in the stowed configuration and with the handle element in the stowed configuration.

Fig. 3 is an isometric view from the front of the device of Fig. 1 with the first capturing means in a capturing configuration and with the handle element in the stowed configuration, Fig. 4 is an isometric view from the rear of the device of Fig. 1 with the first capturing means in tbe capturing configuration and with the handle element in the stowed configuration.

Fig. 5 is an isometric view from the front of the device of Fig. 1 with the first 10 capturing means in the stowed configuration and with the handle element in a holding configuration, Fig. ό is an isometric view from the rear of the device of Fig. 1 with the first capturing means in the stowed configuration and with the handle element in the holding configuration, and Fig. 7 is an exploded isometric view from the front of the device of Fig. 1.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a portable, handheld viewing device ] according to the invention. The device 1 is suitable for use, for example by a visually impaired person to assist in reading.

The device 1 comprises a first capturing means 4 to capture a visual image of at least part of an object, a second capturing means 7 to capture a visual image of at least part of an object, means 2 to display either of the visual images captured, and a handle element 6.

The first capturing means 4 is suitable for capturing a visual image of an object which is relatively close to the device 1, such as a page of reading material. The second capturing means 7 is suitable for capturing a visual image of an object which is further away from the device 1, such as a sign in a public building. In this case, each of the first capturing means 4 and the second capturing means 7 is provided in the form of an electronic camera.

The display means 2 is provided in the form of an electronic monitor, such as a fat panel display monitor. The display means 2 comprises a front side 11 for displaying a visual image, and a rear side 12 which may be placed against the surface of the object being viewed.

The visual image displayed may be one of the captured visual images, or alternatively the visual image displayed may be an image which is derived from one of the captured visual images. It will be appreciated that the device 1 may comprise means to magnify one of the captured visual images before the visual image is displayed on the display means 2, This magnification aspect of the device 1 is especially advantageous for displaying the visual image to a visually impaired person who may otherwise find difficulty in reading ihe unmagnified image.

The first capturing means 4 is connected lo the display means 2 by a pivotable connector arm 5. The first capturing means 4 is pivotably movable relative to the display means 2 by at least ISO degrees, and in this ease by 225 degrees, from a stowed configuration (Figs, 1 and 2) io a capturing configuration (Figs. 3 and 4). The axis of pivoting of the first capturing means 4 is parallel to the plane of the display means 2.

In the stowed configuration the first capturing means 4 is located in a recess 10 at the rear side 12 of the display means 2. In the stowed configuration, the plane of the connector arm 5 is substantially co-planar with the plane of the rear side 12 of the display means 2. Thus the device 1 presents a low-profile, compact size and shape when in the stowed configuration. The device I is therefore suitable for being carried by a user, for example in a pocket, The first capturing means 4 is biased away from the stowed configuration. The device 1 comprises a latch element 3 to selectively hold the first capturing means 4 in the stowed configuration. The latch element 3 nay be provided on the connector arm 5 or on the rem side 12 of the display means 2. A damping system is employed to provide for a smooth movement of the first capturing means 4 relative to the display means 2.

In the capturing configuration, the connector arm 5 is inclined relative to the pLane of the display means 2 and inclined relative to the plane of the object being viewed, in tliis case by 45 degrees (Figs. 3 and 4), Because of the length of the connector arm 5, in the capturing configuration the first capturing means 4 is spaced apart from the object being viewed. This creates the required distance between the first capturing means 4 and the object to enable the desired visual image of the object to be captured. It is possible for a user to read and write with lhe first capturing means 4 in the capturing configuration. In particular it i s possible for a user to place the tip of a writing instrument, such as a pen. within the view of the first capturing means 4. The device 1 may thus be used to display on the display means 2 what the user is writing. When the first capturing means 4 is unfolded it allows both reading and writing without further movement of the first capturing means 4 being required.

The distance between the first capturing means 4 and the object is sufficient to facilitate an enhanced range of zoom operations.

The viewing axis of the first capturing means 4 is inclined relative to the plane of the connector arm 5, in this case by 45 degrees (Figs, 3 and 4). The sensor of the first capturing means 4 is small enough to mount at 45 degrees in a thin space within the connector arm 5, In the capturing configuration, the viewing axis of the first capturing means 4 is substantially perpendicular' to the plane of the display means 2 and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the object being viewed. The first capturing means 4 is orientated parallel to the reading material so there is no angular distortion of the image. One or more lights may be provided adjacent to tire first capturing means 4 to assist viewing of the object.

The device 1 comprises means to activate and/or deactivate the first capturing means 4 and the display means 2. The activation means ia configured to be automatically triggered responsive to the first capturing means 4 being moved relative to the display means 2 from the stowed configuration to the capturing configuration. Similarly the deactivation means is configured to be automatically triggered responsive to the first capturing means 4 being moved relative to the display means 2 from the capturing configuration to the stowed configuration, Tire second capturing means 7 is located at the rear side 12 of the display means 2 and is fixed relative to tbe display means 2. Tbe viewing axis of the second capturing means 7 is substantially peipendicular to tire plane of the display means 2.

One ot' more lights may be provided adjacent to Lbe second capturing means 7 to assist viewing of the object.

The second capturing means 7 may automatically focus on the object being viewed.

The handle element 6 comprises a holder pari 9 for holding one or more components, such as a power source 8 (Fig. 7), This ensures that tlie handle element 6 is sturdy for ease of use. Because tbe handle element 6 contains the battery 8, which accounts for a substantial portion ofthe weight of the device 1, this arrangement makes the device 1 particularly comfortable to hold. One or more finger grips may be provided at the side of the handle element 6.

The power source 8 is positioned within the holder part 9 in a suitable manner to facilitate access by an external charger to recharge the power source 8.

The handle element 6 is slidably movable relative to the display means 2 between a 5 stowed configuration (Figs. 1 to 4). and a holding configuration in which the handle element 6 is extended outwardly to a side of the display means 2 to enable a user to grip the handle element ΰ (Fig. 5 and 6).

The handle clement 6 also acts as a cover element to selectively cover the second capturing means 7.

The cover element 6 is slidably movable relative to the display means 2 between a covering configuration in which the cover element 6 covers the second capturing means 7 (Figs. 1 to 4), and a capturing configuration in which the cover element 6 is moved aside to uncover the second capturing means 7 (Fig. 5 and 6), The device 1 comprises means to activate and/or deactivate the second capturing means 7 and the display means 2. The activation means is configured to he triggered responsive to the handle/cover element 6 being moved relative to the display means 2 from the stowcd/cov ering configuration to the holding/capturing configuration. Similarly the deactivation means is configured to be triggered responsive to tlie handle/cover element 6 being moved relative to the display means 2 from the holding/capturing configuration to the stowed/covering configuration.

The device 1 also comprises means to determine the orientation of the display means 2, for example using one or more accelerometer elements. In particular the orientation may be determined by one or more solid state devices mounted on one or more circuit boards within the device 1. The solid state device may output signals relative to the acceleration it experiences in three mutually perpendicular axes, If the in solid state device is not subject to additional accelerations, it may determine its orientation by means of gravity. Other acceleration, for example a user performing a fixed sequence of gestures, may be used to perform additional functions.

The device 1 further comprises a plurality of control buttons 13 to control operation of the display means 2 and operation of the first capturing means 4 and operation of tlie second capturing means 7. The control burtons 13 may be used to change the zoom of the visual image, to change the focus of the visual image, to change the colour of the visual image, to make the visual image monochrome, to invert the visual image. The control buttons 13 may be activated and/or deactivated responsive to the orientation of the display means 2. In this manner the device 1 may configure itself automatically to suit the user. For example if the user is holding die device 1 in the user's right hand, the appropriate control buttons 13 of tbe device 1 may be activated to suit tbe position of the fingers and thumb of the user's right hand.

Tbe device 1 further comprises means to determine which of the first capturing means 4 and the second capturing means 7 was most recently activated. The display means 2 is configured to display the visual image captured by whichever of tbe first capturing means 4 and the second capturing means 7 was most recently activated.

Jn use. ibe latch element 3 is released to allow tbe first capturing means 4 to pivotably move relative to the display means 2 from tlie stowed configuration (Figs, and 2) to tire capturing configuration (Figs. 3 and 4). Tbe first capturing means 4 and tbe display means 2 are automatically activated as the first capturing means 4 is moved relative to the display means 2 from the stowed configuration to the capturing configuration. Tlie device 1 is then placed with the rear side 12 of tire display means resting on the object, such as a page of reading material. The user can move the device 1 across the page while reading the displayed text from the display means 2. The user may read and write with tire first capturing means 4 in tbe capturing configuration.

When the user is finished using the first capturing means 4. the first capturing means is pivotably moved relative to the display means 2 from the capturing configuration to the stowed configuration. The first capturing means 4 and the display means 2 are automatically deactivated as the first capturing means 4 is moved relative to the display means 2 from the capturing configuration to the stowed configuration.

To use the second capturing means 7, the handle/cover element 6 is slidably moved relative to the display means 2 from the stowed/covering configuration in which the cover element 6 covers the second capturing means 7 (Figs. 1 to 4), to the holding/capturing configuration in which the cover element 6 is moved aside to uncover the second capturing means 7 (Fig. 5 and 6). The second capturing means 7 and the display means 2 are automatically activated as the handle/cover element ή is moved relative to the display means 2 from the stowed/covering configuration to the holding/capturing configuration. The device 1 is then held by the handle element 6 with the second capturing means 7 and the rear side 12 of the display means 2 facing the object, such as a sign in a public building, to capture a visual image of the object.

The device 1 determines the orientation of the display means 2, and the control buttons )3 are activated and/or deactivated responsive to the orientation of tlie display means 2.

When the user is finished using tlie second capturing means 7, the handle'cover clement 6 is slidably moved relative to the display means 2 from the holding/capturing configuration to the stowed/covering configuration. The second capturing means 7 and the display means 2 are automatically deactivated as die handle/cover element 6 is moved relative to the display means 2 from the holding/capturing configuration to the stowed/covering configuration.

In the event that both the first capturing means 4 and the second capturing means 7 are activated, the device 1 determines which of the first capturing means 4 and the second capturing means 7 was most recently activated. The display means 2 displays the visual image captured hy whichever of the first capturing means 4 and the second capturing means 7 was most recently activated.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, with re Terence to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

1. A handheld viewing device comprising:5 a first capturing means to capture a visual image of at least pari of an object, said first capturing means liaving a viewing axis; means to display a visual image, said display means having a front side for displaying a visual image and a rear side which may be placed against a 10 planar surface of an object being viewed; a pivotable connector arm connecting the first capturing means to the display means, 15 the connector arm being pivotably movable relative to the display means by at least 180 degrees from a stowed configuration to a capturing configuration at which the connector arm is inclined relative to the plane of an object being viewed when the display means rear side is placed on said object, and, 20 in the capturing configuration, the viewing axis of the first capturing means being substantially perpendicular to said plane of'an object being viewed, wherein ihe display means comprises a front side for displaying a visual image and a rear side, in the stowed configuration the first capturing means being located at the rear side of the display means, wherein the device comprises a second capturing means fixed relative to the display means, wherein the device comprises a cover element to selectively cover the second 30 capturing means, 10 3.

2. Wherein the device comprises means to selectively hold the first capturing means in the stowed configuration. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the activation and/or deactivation means is configured to be triggered responsive to the first capturing means being moved relative to the display means between the stowed configuration and the capturing configuration. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the display means comprises a front side for displaying a visual image and a rear side, the second capturing means being located at the rear side of the display means. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein tire viewing axis of tire second capturing means is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the display means, A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises a handle element, A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the handle element is movable relative to the display means between a stowed configuration and a holding configuration. 8. 9, A device as claimed in claims 7 or S, wherein the handle element comprises a bolder pari for holding one or more components. 5 10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein die cover element is movable relative to the display means between a covering configuration and a capturing configuration. 11, A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover element 10 comprises a holder part for holding one or more components. 12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the activation and/or deactivation means is configured to be triggered responsive to the handle element being moved relative to the display means between the stowed 15 configuration and the holding configuration, 13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises means to determine which of the first capturing means and the second capturing means was most recently activated. 14, A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the display means is configured to display a visual image captured hy whichever ofthe first capturing means and the second capturing means was most recently activated. 25 15. A device as claimed in any of claims I to 14, wherein the device comprises means to determine the orientation ofthe display means.

3. 6. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 wherein tire device comprises means to control operation ofthe display means and/or the first capturing means. wherein the device comprises means to activate and/or deactivate Ute control means, and wherein the control means is configured to be activated and/or deactivated responsive to the orientation of the display means.

4. 5. 6. Ί. wherein the device comprises means to activate and/or deactivate tire second capturing means and/or the display means, and wherein the activation and/or deactivation means is configured to be triggered responsive to the cover element being moved relative to the display means. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first capturing means is biased away from the stowed configuration. A device as claimed in claim

5. 17, A handheld viewing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to tire accompanying drawings.