Patent ID: 8264598
Filing Date: 2012-09-11
Classification: G02B,G03B,H04N

Abstract:
1. A handheld electronic magnifier to assist blind or low vision users in viewing objects, the magnifier comprising: a housing having a front face, a back face, and a peripheral edge therebetween, a camera positioned within the housing, a camera aperture formed within the back face and in alignment with the camera, an LCD screen recessed within the front face, the LCD screen selectively displaying objects viewed by the camera, a series of controls adjacent to the LCD screen, a pair of LEDs positioned upon the back face, the LEDs being angled inwardly towards a focal point; a handle pivotally connected to the housing, the handle having a front face, a back face, and a peripheral edge therebetween, an aperture and a pair of light guides formed within the back face, an opening formed within the front face, the aperture and opening being in alignment, a battery door within the back face; a light chamber formed within the handle, the light chamber having a color that promotes light reflection and further including angled surfaces positioned immediately below the light guides, a pair of battery compartments positioned adjacent to the light chamber, whereby the battery door can be removed to gain access to the battery compartments; the magnifier having a first orientation wherein the housing and handle are in alignment, such that the handle can be held by the user to position the camera at a distance from the object being viewed, the magnifier having a second orientation wherein the handle and housing are angularly related, such that the handle can be positioned upon a surface and objects can be placed in front of the camera, the magnifier having a third orientation wherein the back faces of the housing and handle are brought together, such that the handle can be positioned over top of the object being viewed; whereby the third orientation permits the camera to view objects through the apertures and the opening, and directs light from the LEDs, through the light guides, into the light chamber, and out through the opening to thereby illuminate the object being viewed.