Patent ID: 7755744

Claim:
An environment sensing device for a visually impaired user capable of real-time tactile transference of environmental information to a user to simulate touching an object with the fingertips, the environment sensing device comprising: a. a single housing member having at least a handle and retaining all components of the environment sensing device; b. an electro-opto modulator that generates a line of modulated light such that the light has a phase shift from 0° to 90°, the reflection of the modulated light from a scanned object is received by the environment sensing device and a distance of the object from the environment sensing device is determined; c. a phase comparator having at least eight phase comparators, that determine a difference in phase between the light sent by the electro-opto modulator and light received by the environment sensing device; d. a 3-D line sensor having at least eight photo-diodes, one each to correspond with a phase comparator, that detects, receives, and transmits signals regarding reflected light; e. a single light source directed orthogonally from the environment sensing device and controlled, in part, by said electro-opto modulator; f. a processing and control apparatus that determines the distance of the reflected light from an object and controls said electro-opto modulator system, said phase comparator, and an output apparatus; g. the output apparatus having at least one column of tactile elements displaceable continuously along a path perpendicular to the handle of the housing as a two dimensional representation of the distances measured by said environment sensing device, which are displaced by mechanical actuators, said displacement conveying to the user the physical shape, contours and texture of the scanned object; and h. a wireless, lightweight, power supply located in said housing member, which powers the environment and sensing device.