Electronic magnification device
View Patent ↗Disclosed is a magnification device for use by blind and/or low vision individuals. The device includes an X-Y table upon which an item to be magnified can be placed. A stationary camera arm and a pivotal monitor arm are oriented over the X-Y table. The monitor arm includes a video monitor pivotally mounted at its distal end. The camera arm also includes two laterally disposed lighting arms. A series of controls are provided along a lower edge of the monitor via a mounting bracket.
1. A magnification device for use by blind or low vision users, the magnification device comprising in combination:
a base having a forward edge, a rearward edge, and side edges therebetween, the base further including a first pair of channels extending between the side edges and a second pair of channels extending between the forward and rearward edges;
a table having a forward edge, a rearward edge, and side edges, the table mounted to the first and second channels of the base to permit the table to be adjusted in the X and Y orientations, the table further including a centrally disposed arcuate indentation, the indentation permitting cylindrical objects to be placed upon the table;
an arcuate camera arm having a proximal end, a distal end, and forward and rearward surfaces, the proximal end integral with the rearward edge of the base and the distal end extending overtop of the table, a channel for cabling centrally located within the rearward surface of the camera arm, an access opening located intermediate the proximal and distal ends;
a camera housing including a forward end, a rearward end, and a aperture opening, the camera housing mounted to the distal end of the camera arm such that the aperture opening is orientated over the table and the rearward end is in registration with the access opening;
a monitor arm having a proximal end and a distal end and an intermediate extent therebetween, a counter-balancing spring operatively positioned within the monitor arm, the proximal end of the monitor arm being pivotally connected to the intermediate extent of the camera arm, whereby the monitor arm can be pivoted upward and downward relative to the camera arm;
a monitor bracket pivotally connected to the distal end of the monitor arm, the monitor bracket including a control panel along a lower edge, the control panel including a series of controls, with each control having a rotatable knob and a centrally positioned push button, a monitor releasably coupled to the monitor bracket, a self view camera secured to the monitor;
a laterally extending lighting arm, the arm interconnected to an intermediate extent of the camera arm, and including a light source at each end for illuminating objects placed on the table.
2. A magnification device comprising in combination:
a base having a forward edge, a rearward edge, and side edges therebetween;
a table having a forward edge, a rearward edge, and side edges, the table mounted to the base to permit the table to be adjusted in the X and Y orientations;
a fixed camera arm having a proximal end, a distal end, two opposing sides, and forward and rearward surfaces, the proximal end integral with the rearward edge of the base and the distal end extending overtop of the table;
a camera housing including a forward end, a rearward end, and an aperture opening, the camera housing mounted to the distal end of the camera arm such that the aperture opening is orientated over the table;
a monitor arm having a proximal end and a distal end and an intermediate extent therebetween, the proximal end of the monitor arm being pivotally connected to the intermediate extent of the camera arm, whereby the monitor arm can be pivoted upward and downward relative to the camera arm;
a monitor releasably secured to the monitor arm;
a laterally extending lighting arm, the arm interconnected to an intermediate extent of the camera arm, the lighting arm extending outwardly from each opposing side of the camera arm and including a light source at each end for illuminating objects placed on the table.
3. The magnification device as described in claim 2 wherein the table includes a semi-circular indentation for supporting cylindrical objects.
4. The magnification device as described in claim 2 further comprising a control panel removably mounted to the monitor.
5. The magnification device as described in claim 4 wherein the control panel supports a series of controls, with each control having a rotatable knob and a centrally positioned push button.
6. The magnification device as described in claim 2 wherein a counterbalancing spring is operatively secured within the monitor arm.
7. The magnification device as described in claim 2 wherein the lighting arm is oriented at an angle with respect to the table.
8. The magnification device as described in claim 7 , wherein the angle is approximately 45.5 degrees.