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US 6,638,304 B2Granted
Vision prosthesis
AssigneeMassachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
InventorDimitri Azar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vision prosthesis includes a lens having an index of refraction that varies in response to a focusing stimulus. An actuator in communication with the lens provides the focusing stimulus on the basis of a range estimate from a rangefinder. A controller coupled to the rangefinder and to the actuator causes the actuator to generate a focusing stimulus on the basis of the range estimate.
Claims96
An apparatus comprising:
- a lens having an index of refraction that varies in response to a focusing stimulus;
- the lens including a first lens element;
- a second lens element moveable relative to said first lens element;
- and
- a motor coupled to said second lens element for moving said second lens element relative to said first lens element,
- an actuator in communication with said lens for providing said focusing stimulus;
- a rangefinder for generating, from a range estimate, a relative distance to an object-of-regard;
- and
- a controller coupled to said rangefinder and to said actuator for causing said actuator to generate a focusing stimulus on the basis of said range estimate.
6 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a lens having an index of refraction that varies in response to a focusing stimulus;
- an actuator in communication with said lens for providing said focusing stimulus;
- a rangefinder for generating, from a range estimate, a relative distance to an object-of-regard, the rangefinder including a pressure-sensitive electromyograph for detecting electrical activity associated with contraction of a muscle, said electrical activity being indicative of a range to said object-of-regard;
- and
- a controller coupled to said rangefinder and to said actuator for causing said actuator to generate a focusing stimulus on the basis of said range estimate.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a lens having an index of refraction that varies in response to a focusing stimulus;
- an actuator in communication with said lens for providing said focusing stimulus;
- a rangefinder for generating, from a range estimate, a relative distance to an object-of-regard, the rangefinder including an autofocus system and a feedback loop coupled to said autofocus system, the feedback loop having
- a first lenslet disposed posterior to said lens, said first lenslet having a first focal length;
- a second lenslet disposed posterior to said lens, said second lenslet having a second focal length;
- a first photodetector disposed posterior to said first lenslet, said first photodetector in optical communication with said first lenslet and separated therefrom by a selected distance, said selected distance being between said first and second focal length;
- and
- a second photodetector disposed posterior to said second lenslet, said second photodetector in optical communication with said second lenslet and separated therefrom by said selected distance;
- a differencing element coupled to outputs of said first and second photodetectors for determining a difference between signals present on said first and second photodetectors, said difference being indicative of an extent to which said lens is focused on said object-of-regard;
- and
- a controller coupled to said rangefinder and to said actuator for causing said actuator to generate a focusing stimulus on the basis of said range estimate.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.