Patent Description:
Macular degeneration is a common medical condition, especially among elderly people. A person suffering from macular degeneration generally has a damaged or malfunctioning retina, particularly the macula of the retina. The macula generally has the sharpest resolution of the eye. Generally, the damaged or malfunctioning macula may not properly respond to light in a front of the person. As a result, the person may have blurred or no vision in a region at or about a center of a field of vision. Macular degeneration may limit a person's ability to recognize faces, drive, read, or the like. The deterioration of the macula may expand outwards from the central part of the retina. However, it is unlikely to affect a peripheral region of the retina.

This disclosure is directed to a device for aiding vision of a person. More specifically, the disclosure is directed to a wearable device for aiding vision of a person such as a person suffering from a degenerative vision medical condition.

In an embodiment, the device is a head-wearable device. In an embodiment, the head-wearable device can be a glasses device. In an embodiment, the head-wearable device can be a hat, headband, or the like.

In an embodiment not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the wearable device includes a camera system, a display device, a display system, a transparent enclosure for the display system, a mount, a first sliding enclosure (x-axis) capable of adjusting the position between the camera system and the display system, and a second sliding enclosure (y-axis) capable of adjusting the distance between the display system and an eye of a person wearing the device.

In an embodiment not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the wearable device further includes a controller capable of outputting at least one command. In an embodiment, the command is used to control one or more of a color scheme, brightness, and contrast of the display screen. In an embodiment, the controller is capable of receiving an input from one or more buttons. In an embodiment, the controller can be a wired or a wireless controller. The controls can also be performed using buttons on the wearable device. In an embodiment, the controls are buttons on a printed circuit board (PCB) for controlling the wearable device.

In an embodiment not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the first or the second sliding enclosure can be adjusted either manually or automatically.

In an embodiment not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the device further includes a power switch for the display device and the camera.

A wearable device that aids vision of a person is disclosed. The wearable device includes a display system including a display device, a first polarizer parallel to the display device, a quarter waveplate, and a mirror, wherein the display device, the first polarizer, the quarter waveplate, and the mirror are arranged sequentially such that the display device is disposed at a first end of the display system and the mirror is disposed at a second, opposite end of the display system. The display system has a length corresponding to a focal length of the mirror. A camera system includes a camera and an image stabilization system. The camera includes a zoom magnification configured to provide up to at or about <NUM> times zoom. A mount is included. The display system and the camera system are secured to the mount. The display system and the camera system are movable relative to each other about the mount. The mount is secured to a frame.

A head-wearable device that aids vision of a person is also disclosed. The head-wearable device includes a display system including a display device, a first polarizer parallel to the display device, a second polarizer disposed at a <NUM>° angle relative to the display device, a quarter waveplate, and a mirror, wherein the display device, the first polarizer, the second polarizer, the quarter waveplate, and the mirror are arranged sequentially such that the display device is disposed at a first end of the display system and the mirror is disposed at a second, opposite end of the display system. The display system has a length corresponding to a focal length of the mirror. A camera system includes a camera and an image stabilization system, the camera including a zoom magnification configured to provide up to at or about <NUM> times zoom. The display system and the camera system are secured to the mount. The display system and the camera system are movable relative to each other about the mount. The mount is secured to a frame.

A method to aid vision of a person with a visual degeneration medical condition is also disclosed. The method includes installing a wearable device in the person's field of view. A scene is captured in front of the person with a camera. The scene as captured is stabilized. The scene as stabilized is displayed on a display system of the wearable device. Displaying on the display system includes passing light through the first linear polarizer, the second linear polarizer, and the quarter waveplate to form circularly polarized light; reflecting the circularly polarized light off the mirror; passing the reflected circularly polarized light through the quarter waveplate and reflecting on the second polarizer to pass into the person's eye, thereby forming a virtual image on part of the retina.

References are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this disclosure, and which illustrate embodiments in which the systems and methods described can be practiced.

People suffering from a degenerative vision medical condition such as, but not limited to, macular degeneration, may have blurred or no vision in particular areas of their vision.

Macular degeneration is a common medical condition, especially among elderly people. A person suffering from macular degeneration generally has a damaged or malfunctioning retina, particularly the macula of the retina. The macula generally has the sharpest resolution of the eye. Generally, the damaged or malfunctioning macula may not properly respond to light in a front of the person. As a result, the person may have blurred or no vision in a region at or about a center of a field of vision. Macular degeneration may limit a person's ability to recognize faces, drive, read, or the like. The deterioration of the macula may expand outwards from the central part of the retina. However, it is unlikely to affect a peripheral region of the retina. In cases where a person's peripheral region of the retina is unaffected, the person's vision may be enhanced with an external device.

Currently, devices for aiding the vision of a person having macular degeneration may reflect light via a display screen into the person's eye. However, these devices generally require an enclosed space for optical efficiency and contrast, similar to a virtual reality headset. As a result, the vision aid devices are generally bulky in both size and appearance. Devices for aiding the vision of a person which are smaller in size are desirable.

Embodiments of this disclosure are directed to a wearable device that can capture and magnify a scene that would normally be formed at the malfunctioning macular region. The captured and magnified scene can then be projected in a well-functioning region of the retina (e.g., a peripheral region outside of a center of the field of view, etc.). In an embodiment, magnification may be used to compensate for limitations of the retina outside of the macula.

In an embodiment, the wearable device for aiding vision of a person can utilize a polarization projection method. In an embodiment, using polarization-implemented augmented reality may enable a reduction in size of the wearable device. In an embodiment, the reduction in size can, for example, result in a minimalistic design having a relatively better aesthetic appearance in comparison to a conventional reflection system.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams that illustrate a normal field of view <NUM> of a person, a field of view <NUM> of a person having a degenerative vision medical condition, and a field of view <NUM> of the person having the degenerative vision medical condition when using a wearable device for aiding vision of the person, according to an embodiment.

<FIG> shows the normal field of view <NUM> of a person, according to an embodiment. Within the normal field of view <NUM> are a plurality of letters <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the letters <NUM> are shown as an example, and that the field of view <NUM> could alternatively include images other than letters. The normal field of view <NUM> includes a central region <NUM> that is illustrated in dashed lines. The central region <NUM> indicates an area in which the person's macula would identify the letters <NUM>. For simplicity of this specification, the normal field of view <NUM> does not include variations in resolution across the various regions of a person's retina.

<FIG> shows the field of view <NUM> of a person having a degenerative vision medical condition, according to an embodiment. The degenerative vision medical condition can be representative of macular degeneration. In the field of view <NUM>, a central region 14A is shown in place of the central region <NUM> (<FIG>) that does not include any of the letters <NUM>. Instead, the central region 14A is shown as being blocked (e.g., blurred, etc.) to represent the blind spot of the person having the degenerative vision medical condition due to the malfunctioning macula.

<FIG> shows the field of view <NUM> of the person having the degenerative vision medical condition from <FIG> wearing a wearable device for aiding vision of a person, according to an embodiment. Similar to <FIG>, the central region 14A is shown without any of the letters <NUM> that are visible in the central region <NUM> (<FIG>) of the normal field of view <NUM>. However, the letters <NUM> that were illustrated in the central region <NUM> of the normal field of view <NUM> are shown in a region <NUM> as a virtual image which is displayed within the field of view <NUM>. The region <NUM> includes the same letters M, N, W, X, and Y as displayed in the central region <NUM> of the normal field of view <NUM>. The letters can be captured by a camera of the wearable device for aiding the vision of the person and projected in a region outside of the macula (e.g., a functioning region of the retina) for the person to view. The wearable device for aiding the vision of the person is described in additional detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the region <NUM> is shown in an upper right corner of the field of view <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the region <NUM> can alternatively be displayed in other areas of the field of view <NUM> which are outside of the malfunctioning macula region, according to the principles of this disclosure.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a retina <NUM> of a person having a degenerative vision medical condition, according to an embodiment. It will be appreciated that the degenerative vision medical condition in the illustrated embodiment is generally representative of macular degeneration. As such, the retina <NUM> is representative of a retina from a person having a malfunctioning or damaged macula. The retina <NUM> includes a functioning region <NUM> and a malfunctioning region <NUM>. The functioning region <NUM> of the retina <NUM> is generally located at a peripheral region of the retina <NUM> that surrounds the malfunctioning region <NUM>. The malfunctioning region <NUM> of the retina <NUM> is generally located at or about a center of the retina <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the retina <NUM> including the functioning region <NUM> and the malfunctioning region <NUM> are intended as an example, and that the relative size and shape of the functioning region <NUM> and the malfunctioning region <NUM> can vary according to the person.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a person <NUM> wearing a wearable device <NUM> for aiding vision of the person <NUM>, according to an embodiment.

The wearable device <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment is in a form of glasses that can be worn by the person <NUM>. The wearable device <NUM> includes a mount <NUM>, a frame <NUM>, a display system <NUM>, and a camera system <NUM>. In an embodiment, the display system <NUM> can alternatively be referred to as the optical component <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the camera system <NUM> can alternatively be referred to as the camera component <NUM>. The camera system <NUM> includes a camera <NUM>.

The display system <NUM> includes an enclosure <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the enclosure <NUM> can be optical glass, a transparent material such as a polymer, combinations thereof, or the like. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the enclosure <NUM> can be a polycarbonate or the like. Because the enclosure <NUM> is transparent, the person wearing the wearable device <NUM> can maintain his/her original vision in the eye using the polarization-implemented augmented reality. The projected image is "stacked" on top of his/her current vision. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the stacking of the projected image can make the person wearing the wearable device <NUM> more comfortable with a transition between his fields of view when putting on or taking off the wearable device <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, relating the content in the virtual image displayed by the display system <NUM> with the wearer's peripheral vision, the wearer may be able to more easily locate a particular target. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, using the polarization-implemented augmented reality may enable a reduction in size of the wearable device <NUM>. Reducing the size of the wearable device <NUM> can, in an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, result in a minimalistic design having a more pleasing aesthetic appearance relative to prior devices.

The mount <NUM> attaches the wearable device <NUM> to one side of a frame <NUM>. The frame <NUM> can be similar to a frame for glasses, according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the mount <NUM> can also be attached to the beam of a cap/hat or other head-wearable device such as, but not limited to, a headband or the like. An embodiment in which the wearable device <NUM> is attached to a hat is shown and described in accordance with <FIG> below.

The wearable device <NUM> is adjustable to manipulate, for example, a location of the camera system <NUM>, the display system <NUM>, or a combination of the camera system <NUM> and the display system <NUM>. An adjustment mechanism is realized by sliding the camera <NUM> within a hollow enclosure of the mount <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the sliding is designed with calculated tolerances, so that a relative position between the two components can be fixed and the sliding occurs when an external force exceeds a certain value (e.g., from the wearer's intentional adjustment as opposed to accidentally). The sliding can also be realized through flexures or screws translating into linear motion. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the sliding can be accomplished manually. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the sliding can be controlled electronically. In an embodiment including electronic control of the sliding motion, the wearable device <NUM> can include a retina scanner <NUM> (<FIG>). The retina scanner <NUM> can be considered a part of the camera system <NUM>, according to an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims. In use, the retina scanner <NUM> may be used to scan a retina of the wearer of the wearable device <NUM>. Based on the scan of the retina of the wearer, the wearable device <NUM> may be electronically adjusted by sliding the adjustment mechanism.

In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, wearer <NUM> can easily adjust the relative position between the camera system <NUM> and the mount <NUM>. In an embodiment, this adjustment mechanism can allow a y-axis adjustment up to at or about <NUM> millimeters. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the y-axis adjustment can be greater than at or about <NUM> millimeters. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the y-axis adjustment can be conducted either manually or automatically. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the y-axis adjustment can be manually completed by, for example, the wearer sliding the camera system <NUM> in the y-direction, or by manipulating an adjustment screw that moves the camera system <NUM> in the y-direction. In an embodiment, the wearer may be able to press an adjustment button that moves the camera system <NUM> in the y-direction. When the mount is attached to the beam of a cap (e.g., as shown and described in accordance with <FIG>), adjustments along the y-axis may be free (e.g., greater than at or about <NUM> millimeters).

In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the display system <NUM> incorporates another adjustment mechanism (in this case between the display system <NUM> and the camera system <NUM>) to achieve adjustment of the projection area along the x-axis. In an embodiment, the x-axis adjustment can be up to at or about <NUM> millimeters. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the x-axis adjustment can be greater than at or about <NUM> millimeters. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the x-axis adjustment can be conducted either manually or automatically. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the x-axis adjustment can be manually completed by, for example, the wearer sliding the camera system <NUM> in the x-direction, or by manipulating an adjustment screw that moves the camera system <NUM> in the x-direction. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the wearer may be able to press an adjustment button that moves the camera system <NUM> in the x-direction. When the mount is attached to the beam of a cap (e.g., as shown and described in accordance with <FIG>), adjustments along the x-axis may be free (e.g., greater than at or about <NUM> millimeters).

In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the x-axis adjustment and y-axis adjustment can be conducted sequentially or simultaneously. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the virtual image reflected into the wearer's eye can be located in any peripheral part of the retina by utilizing the adjustment in the x-direction, the y-direction, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the display system <NUM> and its components can be capable of producing a virtual image having a minimum apparent size of a <NUM>-inch screen viewed from <NUM> meters away.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of the wearable device <NUM> for aiding the vision of the person <NUM> of <FIG>, according to an embodiment.

The wearable device <NUM> includes the display system <NUM>, display device <NUM>, camera device <NUM>, and the mount <NUM>. The display system <NUM> includes a mirror <NUM>, a wave plate <NUM>, a first polarizer <NUM>, and a second polarizer <NUM>.

The wearable device <NUM> includes the display system <NUM> and an image stabilization system <NUM>. A bigger image can be achieved to enable the application as a vision aid. A display device <NUM> connected to a camera system <NUM> on the wearable device <NUM> can be used to project an image. The display system <NUM> includes the mirror <NUM> separated from the display device <NUM> by a distance D1 so that light reflected from the mirror <NUM> will be collimated. In an embodiment, the distance D1 is at or about the same as a focal length of the mirror <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the display system <NUM> can be referred to as a modified polarizing beam splitter.

In an embodiment, two polarizers <NUM>, <NUM> are placed between the display device <NUM> and the mirror <NUM>. The first polarizer <NUM> is parallel to the display device <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the first polarizer <NUM> may be substantially parallel to the display device <NUM> subject to, for example, manufacturing tolerances and variations. In an embodiment, the second polarizer <NUM> is disposed at an angle θ relative to the display device <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle θ is at or about <NUM>° relative to the display device <NUM>. The second polarizer <NUM> can redirect light reflected from the mirror <NUM> into the wearer's eye, thus forming a virtual screen. In another embodiment, a single polarizer (e.g., polarizer <NUM>) can be disposed between the display device <NUM> and the mirror <NUM>. The single polarizer <NUM> can form the angle θ of <NUM>° to the display device <NUM>.

The wearer can adjust the zoom magnification of the camera <NUM>. The zoom magnification can be accomplished using the magnification-adjustment buttons <NUM>. The magnification may be dependent on each wearer's particular vision condition. Accordingly, the magnification-adjustment buttons <NUM> can help compensate for either the decreased resolution in an area of the retina other than the macula or blurry macular vision from, for example, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, or the like.

In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the zoom magnification can range from at or about <NUM> to at or about <NUM> times. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the zoom magnification can range from at or about <NUM> to at or about <NUM> times. When using <NUM>-time zoom, for example, an object takes up about <NUM> times as many pixels as the same object under <NUM>-time zoom. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the display device <NUM> has at least at or about <NUM> times zoom.

Magnifying the projected scene (e.g., the region <NUM> in <FIG>) may limit a field of view displayed on the display device <NUM>. Accordingly, a minor movement from the wearer's head position can cause a large shift in the projected scene. Stabilization in the capturing process is therefore desired.

In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, when a user reaches an extent of a zoom of the camera <NUM>, the user may be able to digitally zoom on the display device <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the zooming may be controlled using the magnification-adjustment buttons <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, a separate zoom button <NUM> may be used to digitally zoom on the display device <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, that includes the zoom button <NUM>, a user may zoom with either the magnification-adjustment buttons <NUM> or the zoom button <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, that does not include the zoom button <NUM>, the digital zooming of the display may occur automatically when the user has adjusted the zoom to the extent of the camera <NUM>.

In an embodiment, an image stabilization system <NUM> can be included in the wearable device <NUM>. For example, in an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, an image stabilizer can be built into a processor of the camera <NUM> to account for involuntary shaking or vibration from the wearer's head. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the image stabilizer can be a mechanical image stabilizer (e.g., a sensor-shifting image stabilizer, etc.), or can be programmatically controlled to provide electronic image stabilization. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the image stabilizer can have both a mechanical component and a programmatic component. The captured scene feeds into the display device <NUM>.

In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the display device <NUM> can be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a ferroelectric liquid crystal on silicon (FLCOS) display, or the like. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, if a resolution is sufficient, the display device <NUM> can be a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or the like.

In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the mirror <NUM> can be toroidal or parabolic in shape. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the mirror <NUM> can be concave with a concave lens immediately adjacent to the mirror <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the mirror <NUM> can be a convex lens with a reflective coating on one end. In such an embodiment, the convex lens with a reflective coating can achieve a same refractive power and reflection by fitting a concave lens to the reflectively coated convex lens.

The wearable device <NUM> can be switched on with a switch <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the switch <NUM> can include a physical switch. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the switch <NUM> can be controlled by a form of a proximity sensor. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the proximity sensor is an infrared sensor. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the switch <NUM> can include an infrared switch which can be toggled based on proximity of, for example, a person's finger. The switch <NUM> can be placed at one side of the mount <NUM>. When switched on, the camera <NUM> starts to capture an image and/or record a scene in the blind spot 14A. The person can choose the desired scene by moving his/her head. The person can choose where the scene is projected in his/her field of view using the adjustment mechanism described above.

In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the wearable device <NUM> can provide a virtual image with a relatively bigger size in comparison to currently available augmented reality wearable products. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the size of the virtual image has a minimum apparent size of a <NUM>-inch screen viewed from <NUM> meters away. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the adjustment can be controlled via a remote.

In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, optical components and their housings are proportionally increased so that the final projected image fits the ideal dimension, which can be experimentally determined.

In another embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the wearable device <NUM> is designed and configured by attaching a telescope to the camera <NUM> or switching the camera <NUM> with one that has optical zoom, so that the scene is already magnified before projection, and then adding another optical component behind the prism, so that the projected image can be larger.

In an embodiment, the display system <NUM> has a length approximate to the focal length of the mirror <NUM>.

In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, another piece of glass can be mounted between the display system <NUM> and the eye of the person wearing the wearable device <NUM> for a person who is either far-sighted or near-sighted.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a top view of the display system <NUM> and light path from the display <NUM> of the wearable device <NUM> for aiding the vision of the person, according to an embodiment.

On a forward propagation path <NUM>, light from the display device <NUM> goes through the first linear polarizer <NUM> and becomes linearly polarized. The second linear polarizer <NUM> is angled <NUM>° relative to the first linear polarizer <NUM>. The linearly polarized light, for example s-polarized, goes through the quarter waveplate <NUM>, becoming circularly polarized. The circularly polarized light then reflects on the mirror <NUM>, and becomes collimated. Upon reflection, the collimated and circularly polarized light changes handedness. On its path back from the mirror <NUM>, the collimated and circularly polarized light <NUM> re-passes through the quarter waveplate <NUM>, and changes to a polarization orthogonal to that of the forward propagation path <NUM>, for example p-polarized. The collimated light, upon reaching the first linear polarizer <NUM> will be reflected into the wearer's eye. Due to the nature of human vision, the eye perceives the incoming collimated light as coming from infinity (e.g., a ray from a top of an object to the eye is approximately parallel to the ground).

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a wearable device <NUM> for aiding vision of a person, according to another embodiment. The wearable device <NUM> is a head-wearable device. In particular, the head-wearable device is a hat that can be worn on a head of the person. The wearable device <NUM> is shown with a cap/hat <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the wearable device <NUM> can include the components other than the hat <NUM>, but be securable to a hat, according to an embodiment. Features of the wearable device <NUM> can be the same as or similar to features of the wearable device <NUM>.

The wearable device <NUM> includes the hat <NUM>, a display system <NUM>, and a camera system <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the wearable device <NUM> can include one or more other features. For example, the hat <NUM> may be adjustable via one or more snaps or other features, according to an embodiment. Adjustability of the hat <NUM> can generally be in accordance with known principles.

In operation, the wearer may be able to adjust a location of the display system <NUM> by adjusting the hat <NUM>. For example, the wearer may be able to turn the hat <NUM> rightward or leftward to move a location of the display system <NUM> in a rightward of leftward direction with respect to the wearer's functioning retina (e.g., the functioning retina <NUM> in <FIG>).

The display system <NUM> is shown in a particular location of the hat <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the display system <NUM> can alternatively be moved to an opposite side (e.g., a right side in the figure) of the hat <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the display system <NUM> may be movable by the wearer. For example, the display system <NUM> may be removably secured to a particular location of the hat <NUM> so that the wearer may move the display system <NUM> to a desired location. In another embodiment, the display system <NUM> may be fixed. In such an embodiment, the wearer may be able to adjust a location of the display system <NUM> by adjusting the hat <NUM>.

The camera <NUM> is shown in about a center location of the hat <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the camera <NUM> can be moved. For example, the camera <NUM> can be moved relatively up or down on the hat <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the camera <NUM> can be moved leftward or rightward on the hat <NUM>. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, the camera <NUM> may be removably secured to the hat <NUM> so that the wearer can remove the camera <NUM> and point it toward a selected object. The camera system <NUM> is shown at a particular location of the hat <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the camera system <NUM> can be moved to a different location of the hat <NUM>. In an embodiment, features illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, but not shown in <FIG>, may also be included in the embodiment of <FIG>.

It will be appreciated that the relative size and location of the display system <NUM> and the camera system <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG> may be variable, according to an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims. The illustrations are intended as examples and not intended to be limiting.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method <NUM> to operate a wearable device for aiding the vision of a person, according to an embodiment. The method <NUM> can generally be used to operate the wearable device <NUM> (<FIG>) or the wearable device <NUM> (<FIG>) to aid the vision of the person.

The method <NUM> begins at <NUM> with capturing a scene in front of the wearer of the wearable device <NUM> using a camera (e.g., the camera <NUM> in <FIG>). At <NUM> the scene captured at <NUM> is stabilized (e.g., with image stabilizing processor <NUM> in <FIG>) and displayed on a display (e.g., the display <NUM> of the wearable device <NUM> in <FIG>) for the wearer of the wearable device <NUM>.

At <NUM>, light from the display device <NUM> sequentially passes through a linear polarizer (e.g., first linear polarizer <NUM> in <FIG>), a second linear polarizer (e.g., second linear polarizer <NUM> in <FIG>), and a quarter waveplate (e.g., waveplate <NUM> in <FIG>) to form circularly polarized light. In an embodiment, there may be a single linear polarizer. In such an embodiment, the second linear polarizer would not be present and the light would pass from the first linear polarizer to the quarter waveplate.

At <NUM>, the circularly polarized light reflects off a mirror (e.g., mirror <NUM> in <FIG>) and changes handedness. At <NUM>, the circularly polarized light with reversed handedness passes through the quarter waveplate, switching back to linearly polarized light. At <NUM>, the linearly polarized light reflects on the second linear polarizer and enters the patient's eye forming a virtual image on part of a retina (e.g., the functioning part <NUM> in <FIG>). In an embodiment with the single linear polarizer, the linearly polarized light would reflect on the first linear polarizer and enter the patient's eye, forming a virtual image on part of the retina.

At <NUM>, the scene and projection position on the retina, magnification, and the size of the image are adjusted by the person or an implemented program, until a clear virtual image in a proper size is formed on the functioning part of the retina. In an embodiment that is not covered by the subject-matter of the claims, <NUM> can include electronically controlling an adjustment in an x-direction and y-direction of the display system <NUM> via sliding motion (e.g., using mount <NUM> in <FIG>). In an embodiment, <NUM> can include scanning a retina of the wearer of the wearable device <NUM> using a retina scanner <NUM> (<FIG>). Based on the scan of the retina of the wearer, the wearable device <NUM> may be electronically adjusted by sliding the adjustment mechanism.

The terminology used in this specification is intended to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. The terms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural forms as well, unless clearly indicated otherwise. The terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components.

Claim 1:
A wearable device (<NUM>) that aids vision of a person, comprising:
a display system (<NUM>) including a display device (<NUM>), a first polarizer (<NUM>) parallel to the display device (<NUM>), a quarter waveplate (<NUM>), and a mirror (<NUM>), wherein the display device (<NUM>), the first polarizer (<NUM>), the quarter waveplate (<NUM>), and the mirror (<NUM>) are arranged sequentially such that the display device (<NUM>) is disposed at a first end of the display system (<NUM>) and the mirror (<NUM>) is disposed at a second, opposite end of the display system (<NUM>), the display system (<NUM>) having a length corresponding to a focal length of the mirror (<NUM>);
a camera system (<NUM>) including a camera (<NUM>) and an image stabilization system (<NUM>), the camera including a zoom magnification configured to provide up to at or about <NUM> times zoom;
a mount (<NUM>), the display system (<NUM>) and the camera system (<NUM>) being secured to the mount (<NUM>), wherein the display system (<NUM>) and the camera system (<NUM>) are movable relative to each other about the mount (<NUM>), the mount (<NUM>) including a hollow enclosure (<NUM>);
first and second adjustment mechanisms, the first adjustment mechanism being formed by the camera system (<NUM>) being slideable within the enclosure so as to adjust both a relative position between the camera system (<NUM>) and the mount (<NUM>) in a y-axis direction and a relative position between the display device (<NUM>) and the mount (<NUM>) in the y-axis direction, the second adjustment mechanism being such that the display system (<NUM>) is movable in an x-axis direction that is perpendicular to the y-axis direction, movement of the display mechanism in the y-direction being configured to adjust a distance between the display device and an eye of a person wearing the wearable device (<NUM>); and
a frame (<NUM>), the mount being secured to the frame (<NUM>).