 |
FRS - Forehead Retina System
The Forehead Retina System (FRS) uses a special headband to selectively stimulate different mechanoreceptors in forehead skin to allow visually impaired people to "see" a picture of what lies in front of them. The Forehead Retina System is the result of collaborative research by Tachi laboratory at the University of Tokyo and EyePlusPlus, Inc.
(Forehead Retina System headband electrodes and outline processing)
The Forehead Retina System uses tactile sensations in the forehead as a "substitute retina" to enable visually impaired people to "see" the outlines of objects.
(Forehead Retina System headband electrodes and outline processing)
Here's how it works:
- A miniature camera mounted on a pair of sunglasses takes a picture of the scene in front of the user.
- The digital picture is processed and converted into tactile information with two processes. The first uses a special algorithm to extract the spatial outline of the main contents of the visual field; edges are enhanced. The second process is a temporal band-pass filter to enhance time-varying information.
- Finally, the processed visual image is converted to tactile sensations by electrical stimuli; the electrodes in the special headband selectively stimulate the different mechanoreceptors in the forehead skin.
(FRS Tactile Primary Color Approach hardware)
FRS uses a Tactile Primary Color Approach; by separately stimulating three different types of mechanoreceptors in the forehead skin - Merkel cells, Meissner corpuscles and Pacinian corpuscles - the device can approximate an RGB color system. The Forehead Retina System thereby approximates color visual construction.
Take a look at these related stories:
- PixelOptics SuperVision Optimizes Your Sight
You may not be Superman, but SuperVision is closer than you think. The military get it first, then maybe at an optician near you. - Virtual Retinal Displays Get All Geordi With It.
Scientists have been hard at work; the Human Interface Technology Laboratory is continuing work on virtual retinal displays - and building in a very Star Trek look while they're at it. - Headband Telepathy
Mind to mind transfer will take at least twenty years, but we're getting there, according to scientists.
Read more about FRS at SIGGRAPH 2006 and FRS at EyePlusPlus.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 8/3/2006)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 1 )
Related News Stories - (" Medical ")
Mind-Control Lights At Vancouver Olympics
This doesn't quite bring The Game (from ST:TNG) to the Olympic Games, but close.
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy For Iraq Vets
Extensive study now being done on the uses of virtual reality in combatting PTSD in returning veterans.
App Turns iPhone Into Autodoc (Almost)
It doesn't treat your injuries (yet), but the Pocket First Aid & CPR app provided enough information and assistance to save the life of a man trapped by the earthquake in Haiti.
Vitalsens Continuous Medical Monitoring
Why shouldn't your doctor be able to check up on you between office visits - if you want him or her to be able to do so?
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
Put MercuryHouseOne Anywhere
Perhaps looking out through the spray of Victoria Falls.
Computational Wood: Grow Circuits In Living Trees
Just tap into the information tree.
SIRI Virtual Assistant Like Pohl's Joymaker
Man Forrester! Your joymaker is ready.
Liquid Glass Universal Spray-On Protectant
Also used to protect galactic way stations.
WIND Wearable Robot Controller
Robot wirelessly sense, robot do.
Gesture Cube Touch-Free Input
Just think of the gestures you'll use!
IMPASS Robot 'Smart Wheel' Video
I love it when good robot research comes together.
Predator, Prey Robots Evolve
Humanity must make a choice about robot evolution.
Mind-Control Lights At Vancouver Olympics
Bringing The Game to the Olympic Games.
PALRO Companion Robot
Who's your favorite companion robot?
Wasabi Smoke Alarm Now Available
It's an odalarm!
Spyder Olympic GS Suit With d3o
An impact suit made with a shear thickening material.
First Transistor That Mimics Brain Synapse
The Nexus Six phone will need a Nexus-6 brain.
Legged Squad Support System Monster BigDog Robot
A robotic pack mule for soldiers.
Implantable Energy-Harvesting Rubber Sheets
Take a deep breath, and power up that cell phone!
Bose Ride System Smooths Your Ride
Ride the spaceways - uh, roads - in comfort.
