Low-cost wearable low-vision aid using a handmade retinal light-scanning microdisplay

The Wearable Low Vision Aid (WLVA) is a portable system that uses machine vision to track potential walking hazards for the visually impaired. A scanning fiber display couples a laser diode to a vibrating optical fiber that projects a virtual image onto the retina to display warning icons that the visually impaired can recognize. Initial low-vision subject testing has given promising results for this low-cost assistive device.

[1]  Eric J. Seibel,et al.  P-37: Optical Fiber scanning as a Microdisplay source for a Wearable Low Vision Aid , 2002 .

[2]  T A Furness,et al.  The virtual retinal display as a low-vision computer interface: a pilot study. , 2001, Journal of rehabilitation research and development.

[3]  Eric J. Seibel,et al.  Microfabrication of fiber optic scanners , 2002, SPIE Optics + Photonics.

[4]  Eric J. Seibel,et al.  Testing Visual Search Performance Using Retinal Light Scanning as a Future Wearable Low Vision Aid , 2003, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Interact..

[5]  Eli Peli,et al.  P-16: Augmented View for Tunnel Vision: Device Testing by Patients in Real Environments , 2001 .

[6]  Charles C. Kemp,et al.  Shoes as a platform for vision , 2003, Seventh IEEE International Symposium on Wearable Computers, 2003. Proceedings..

[7]  Per G. Reinhall,et al.  54.3: Modeling and Control of the Resonant Fiber Scanner for Laser Scanning Display or Acquisition , 2003 .

[8]  Suzanne Weghorst,et al.  Augmented retinal light scanning display for low vision: Effect of text color and background on reading performance , 2001 .

[9]  Eric J. Seibel,et al.  Design of a vibrating fiber display for a wearable low vision aid , 2001 .

[10]  Eric J. Seibel,et al.  Real-time hazard detection via machine vision for wearable low vision aids , 2001, Proceedings Fifth International Symposium on Wearable Computers.

[11]  Eric J. Seibel,et al.  Efficient image segmentation of walking hazards using IR illumination in wearable low vision , 2002, Proceedings. Sixth International Symposium on Wearable Computers,.