Patents on the soles of your shoes...: universal access

Showing posts with label universal access. Show all posts

Monday, May 1, 2023

Oh, patents! OMNI connecting wheelchairs to escooters (1)

The OMNI system, connecting wheelchairs to escooters for a fun motorized experience, is the brilliant 2023 winner of the Presidential Award, at France’s famous historical innovation contest, the Concours Lépine (since 1901). The OMNI escooter-wheelchair connection device is an easy and affordable way of hitching manual wheelchairs to escooters, making it possible for wheelchair users to zip around motorized, at up to 20 miles per hour, using equipment from the abled world. Wheelchair visionaries are even eagerly anticipating a Zip-escooter rental system, enabling wheelchair users to rent wheelchair-adapted-escooters, and to pay-as-you-go. An inclusive experience, considering that it takes less than five seconds for the OMNI system to bring wheelchairs and escooters together, with the promise of fun, escooter-enabled, mobility.

In the interim, OMNI also created the OMNITrott’ an adapted escooter (with a lower, angled handlebar) for $1000 Euros (approximately $1000 dollars) to connect to any wheelchair, using the original OMNI connection invention, designed to connect a wheelchair to an escooter. A price tag that is still three to four times less than the price of a motorized wheelchair.

In a nutshell, once the OMNI connector is in place, it takes just one effortless pull to dock the wheelchair to an escooter. The escooter-motorized wheelchair then provides unmatched mobility to wheelchair users, who otherwise face insurmountable obstacles. Obstacles such as steps, uneven or cobblestone pavements, slopes, and just 3% of public transportation retrofitted for universal wheelchair access.

The Youtube video below captures Charlotte Alaux, co-founder of the OMNI system, herself a wheelchair user since the age of four, demonstrating the ease with which the OMNI system connects a wheelchair to an escooter. Alaux estimates that approximately 800,000 wheelchair users in France could benefit from the OMNI solution, and a total of 54 million wheelchair users worldwide. The video also shows parallel footage of wheelchair use. Footage with and without the OMNI system, motorizing a wheelchair using an escooter, to highlight the unsuspected difficulties of wheelchair mobility without motorization.

References

Concours Lépine

https://www.concours-lepine.com/
OMNI
https://www.omni.community/

Monday, January 23, 2023

Oh, patents! The Dotwatch

The South Korean company Dot Incorporation has invented a beautifully designed smartwatch, specifically intended for the blind and sight-impaired. Using the company’s magnetically controlled touch sensor technology, corresponding to four 3x2 braille cells, the smartwatch displays time in refreshable braille, as well as other smartwatch functions such as date, temperature, social networking, news and callerID on incoming calls. The watch is Bluetooth connected to a smartphone. It has a battery charge that lasts 7 days. It is made of super lightweight aluminum and is both dustproof and waterproof.

Certain aspects of the Dotwatch invention, the casing in particular, are recited the US utility patent application, US2021072816A1, titled Information output device. The application was published on March 11, 2021. The inventors on record are Ju Yoon Kim, Ju Ho Kim and Hycon Cheol Park.

Below the patent cover sheet drawing, together with an image of the stylish Dotwatch, embodying the invention on the market. The cover sheet drawing shows a plan view of an embodiment of the information output device (1), according to the invention.

Specifically, the information output device (1) is intended to be portable and wearable, for example as a wrist watch. Although undepicted, the portable and wearable output device is designed to communicate wirelessly with a nearby computing device, such as a smartphone, portable computer or tablet via near field communication, WIFI or Bluetooth. The portable and wearable output device comprises a casing 10, protrusions 12, and an expression surface 13.

Inside the casing, a sealed internal space comprises driving modules, which may include electrically-driven actuators. The protrusions 12 are driven to protrude through expression holes for tactile sensing, and to pull-back within the casing 10. The casing 10 also comprises a film surface module 13 to protect the expression surface 11 with protrusions 12 and expression holes, from external moisture, humidity, and/or contaminants, thereby enhancing the durability of the wearable and portable output device.

The Roman numerals II-II depict the crossection line for the patent Figure 2. The Roman numerals III-III depict the crosssection line for the patent Figures 3, 4 and 5.

The absrtract of the DotWatch patent is also included below.

This application relates to an information output apparatus. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a casing including an expression surface and an expression hole formed in the expression surface. The apparatus also includes a protrusion provided to reciprocate such that at least a part thereof protrudes out of the expression hole and information is expressed on the expression surface. The apparatus also includes a driving module located inside the casing and connected to the protrusion to move the protrusion. [Abstract US2021072816A1]

References

Dot Incorporation

https://www.dotincorp.com/

Dotwatch

https://www.dotincorp.com/page/31?gbn2=DotWatch

Monday, January 16, 2023

Oh, patents! Dot Translate mobile device

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The Dot Translate mobile device, in real-time, enables translation of text input to braille, the tactile language that the blind and sight-impaired use to read and write. The ultraportable Dot Translate mobile device not only bypasses embossed braille card-stock sheets, together with the prior art of manual or automated braillers, used for embossing braille on braille sheets, the Dot Translate mobile device also opens access to refreshable braille. Braille that constantly changes on screen, thereby vastly expanding the types, sources and volume of texts available in braille, in real-time, for the blind and sight-impaired. Using pin-actuated hardware with perforated glass to create tactile relief, together with Artificial Intelligence (AI) neural network translation algorithms, the Dot Translate mobile device is designed to convert any text input from the web to braille, including web pages, pdfs, and text messages.

In addition to the many US utility patents awarded for all the various aspects of this breakthrough technology, designed for the blind and sight-impaired, the slick and ultraportable Dot Translate mobile device is the recipient of a US design patent. As a reminder, a US design patent covers the ornamental aspects of an invention, or the way an invention looks, in contrast to US utility patents, which cover the functional aspects of an invention, or how the invention works. The US design patent USD815631, titled Mobile computing device for the vision impaired, was awarded on April 2018, to Ju Yoon Kim, the inventor and CEO of Dot Incorporation. A South Korean company dedicated to creating a barrier-free world for the blind.

Below, the patent coversheet figure drawing, depicting a front isometric view, and a left elevation view of the mobile computing device, for the vision impaired. An image of the marketed, slick and ultraportable, Dot Translate mobile device for the blind and vision impaired, is also included.

An online demonstration of the Dot Translate, text to Braille, AI neural network translation engine, is also included here. You might try the engine live here. Just type your text in English, and Dot Translate will convert it to Braille(1). Braille that becomes readable, in real time, for the blind or sight-impaired, using refreshable braille, tactile relief hardware, such as that which is embodied in the Dot Translate mobile device.

---------------

Note
(1) In case the Dot Translate, text to Braille, live engine is glitchy, please experiment with the link BrailleTranslator.org , which also includes a back translation field.

References

Dot Incorporation

https://www.dotincorp.com/

Dot Translate

https://www.hyperinteractive.de/dot-translate/

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

CES 2023 – The Dot Pad

The Dot Pad is the winner of a Best of Innovation award in the Accessibility category, at the 2023 Computer Electronics Show (CES)(1), in Las Vegas, California, on Jan. 5-8. The Dot Pad is the world’s first tactile graphics tablet, enabling access to visually-generated graphics, such as maps, charts and illustrations, for the visually impaired and the blind. Using patented dot actuator technology, together with patented braille translation software, on a patented split screen output device, that is seamlessly integrated via Bluetooth connection to VoiceOver-enabled iOS mobile devices, the Dot Pad finally offers real-time interaction with graphics content from the web, for the blind and visually impaired. Real time interaction provided via 300-cell (2400-pin) interactive tactile access to graphics, charts, illustrations, and maps, as well as 20-cell (160-pin) refreshable text-to-Braille display. The Dot Pad is a tablet designed with accessibility to graphics in mind for a community of 285 million blind people.

Masterminded by the Korean company Dot Incorporation, the Dot Pad is the latest product of a whole line of smart electronic devices, designed to create a barrier-free world for the blind. A world where only 3% of printed materials are translated to Braille, creating a huge literacy gap. A world where it is impossible to use an ATM, or a glucose monitor, that is not Braille-enabled. Likewise, a world inaccessible for buying public transportation tickets, finding your way using public transportation maps, texting or using email, surfing the web, googling, and many more tasks that are completely taken for granted by sighted people. Tasks that are impossible to perform without some form of assistive VoiceOver technology, designed to provide audio instead of visual input, or to enable tactile access with Braille.

Braille is a tactile language that enables the visually impaired and blind to read and write. It was developed in 1824, by Louis Braille, a fifteen-year-old French youth, who lost his eyesight in a childhood accident. The Braille system consists of a tactile code for letters and punctuation, as well as for word contractions. A tactile code that is traditionally embossed on thick paper stock. The code consists of Braille cells, comprising varying combinations of 3x2 raised dots.

For Braille text and graphics to become refreshable on a computer screen, the technology involves generating tactile relief. In a nutshell, the Dot Pad comprises a perforated glass grid screen, allowing 2400 pins to come through as raised or lowered tactile relief. Tactile relief corresponding to an output both in Braille text and raised-dot graphics. The constantly pin-actuated (or refreshed) glass surface is driven by AI algorithms, using any input (print, graphics, images or audio), for translation to Braille and dot graphics. Input-processing mediated via Bluetooth connection to the web, running on another VoiceOver-enabled, iOS mobile device. The dot graphics are further manipulable, for example with pan, zoom, rotate and invert functions.

Thus, the Dot Pad brings together many different patented inventions, not the least of which is the small, lightweight and compact format of the pin-actuated device. The following is a list of some of the corresponding US utility patents, awarded for various output aspects of the Dot Pad.

US11508259 - Information output apparatus.
US11322003 - Information output device.
US11263935 - Electronic display device and information display method of same.
US10996916 - Data output apparatus and method, and computer-readable recording medium.
US10971041 - Electronic display device and information display method of same.
US10679532 - Electronic display device and information display method of same.
US10649714 - Data output apparatus and method, and computer-readable recording medium.
US10217389 - Electronic display device and information display method of same.

Below, an image of the marketed device, and a Youtube video, showcasing the Dot Pad dot-actuated graphics.

______________

Note

(1) The Las Vegas Computer Electronic Show (CES) is one of the largest tradeshows in the world. Traditionally, since 1967, CES has unveiled some of the most game-changing technologies, such as VCRs, CDs, DVDs and digital radio. 2023 is "back-to-normal" attendance, after two consecutive years of hosting a virtual event.

References
CES 2023
https://www.ces.tech/

Dot Incorporation

https://www.dotincorp.com/

Dot pad – Info
https://pad.dotincorp.com /

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Oh, patents! Benoît Systèmes

France's Concours Lépine Police Commissioner Prize was awarded to Ben oît Systè mes for the MOBILITY Kit, a Power Pack that transforms any chair into a motorized indoor wheelchair. Regardless of whether the chair happens to be an antique Louis XVI “bergère” armchair or a modern Eames molded-plastic chair, the chair will fit securely on top of the MOBILITY kit power platform, allowing the user to drive around the house, using a joystick, comfortably seated on his or her favorite chair.

The MOBILITY Kit is the latest Power Pack addition to the Benoît Systèmes product line, where each product is expertly designed to further facilitate the mobility and comfort of adults and children, who are wheelchair-enabled. The Benoit Systèmes line of products includes:

The Light Drive Power Pack

The Light Drive Power Pack, and Mini Light Drive for children, transform any wheelchair into a motorized wheelchair.

The Light Active Power Pack

The Light Active Power Pack is designed as a motorized performance booster for wheelchairs, particularly for users with good upper body strength and capacity, who otherwise struggle to negotiate slopes and hills. The Active Power Pack is a wheelchair add-on that is easily installed and removed.

The Light Assist Power Pack

The Light Assist Power Pack installs in 20 seconds on almost any wheelchair as a pair of long motorized handles at the back of the wheelchair, facilitating the pushing and navigation tasks, performed by those who attend to adults or children, who are wheelchair-enabled.

The Kitcool

The Kitcool is a cushion with an assembly that attaches to the back of any wheelchair with handles. The Kitcool assists with reclining the wheelchair, and is thus ergonomically designed to provide increased comfort to wheelchair-enabled adults.

The functionality and ergonomy of the Benoît Systèmes company products come as no surprise when you find out that the Founder, CEO and CTO of the company, and Inventor of the products, Robert Benoît, is an engineer who became paraplegic at the age of 21, following a car accident.

Benoit Systèmes products are partially subsidized by France’s national Social Security healthcare plans, and grants are widely available to refund the balance not covered by the State healthcare plans.

The Benoit Systèmes products are patented. The following is a list of some of these patents and patent families:

FR3050638 (A1) - 2017-11-03 - Tray table system for a wheelchair, and wheelchair equipped with such a system
WO2017187094 (A1) - 2017-11-02 - Tray table system for a wheelchair, and wheelchair equipped with such a system
FR2739019A1 - 1997-03-23 - Accessoire pour fauteuil roulant destiné à le maintenir en une position stable de relaxation
WO9710791A1 - 1997-03-27 - Accessoire pour fauteuil roulant destiné à le maintenir en une position stable de relaxation
AU7133996A ― 1997-04-09 - Accessory for supporting a wheelchair in a stable reclined position
US6099021A - 2000-08-08 - Accessory for supporting a wheelchair in a stable reclined position
EP0959860A1 - 1999-12-01 - Accessory for supporting a wheelchair in a stable reclined position
FR2670381 (A1) - 1992-06-19 - Groupe propulseur d'assistance à l'avancement d'un fauteuil manuel pour handicapé
WO9210157A1 - 1992-06-25 - Groupe propulseur d'assistance à l'avancement d'un fauteuil manuel pour handicapé
EP0561986A1 - 1993-09-29 - Auxiliary drive unit for a manual wheelchair
AU9144891A - 1992-07-08 - Auxiliary drive unit for a manual wheelchair
DE69104064T2 - 1995-05-11 - Auxiliary drive unit for a manual wheelchair
ES2065164T3 - 1993-03-29 - Grupo propulsor de ayuda al avance de una silla de ruedas manual para minusvalidos
US5244222A - 1993-09-14 - Collapsible wheelchair
EP0561774 - 1993-09-29 - Fauteuil roulant pliable
US3921744 (A) - 1975-11-25 - Wheelchair with detachable drive means

The YouTube video below shows the 20-second installation and removal of a Power Pack kit for the transformation of a manual wheelchair into a motorized wheelchair, and back again to the manual mode.

References

Benoit Systèmes (website)

http://www.benoitsystemes.com/entreprise2.html (English version)

http://www.benoitsystemes.com/index.html

http://www.benoitsystemes.com/minotor.html

Benoît Systèmes - Kitcool

http://www.benoitsystemes.com/kitcool2.html

Benoît Systèmes - Light Drive

http://www.benoitsystemes.com/minotor2.html

Benoît Systèmes - Light Active

http://www.benoitsystemes.com/kangouroo2.html

Benoît Systèmes - Light Assist

http://www.benoitsystemes.com/pousseur2.html

Concours Lépine

http://www.concours-lepine.com/

*Access to INPI.fr still unstable and backlogged. (06-04-2018)

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Oh, patents! Microsoft No Hands Music Program

The Microsoft Hands-Free Music Program is a participatory design project intended to extend access to music performance and composition, to musicians stricken with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s or Charcot’s disease), spinal chord injuries or other sorts of paralysis conditions. Thus, the project has developed a suite of three eye-controlled applications called The Microsoft Hands Free (Red-Eye) Sound Studio. These applications require no mouse, no keyboard, or other touchscreen interaction, to operate.

The Microsoft Hands Free (Red Eye) Sound Studio Suite includes: Hands-free Sound Jam, Hands-free Sound Machine, and Hands-free Expressive Pixels.

Hands-Free Sound Jam is an electronic eye-controlled music environment for loop-based music performance and composition. The program offers a “clip launcher”, small musical fragments that can be edited or written, and then strung or looped together into a composition.
Hands-Free Sound Machine is a 16-step sound sequencer that supports the output of musical compositions to musical instruments, and stage effects.
Hands-Free Expressive pixels enables authoring and rendering of static and animated LED matrix displays. Used together with Sound Machine, Expressive Pixels augments the musical composition output with visual effects.

Hands-free selection of virtual objects, or the use of eye control to interact with the computer, is an AR (Augmented Reality) invention disclosed in US9201578, titled Gaze swipe selection. The system comprises a connected head-mounted display device (HMD), such as a pair of glasses, equipped to track eye or gaze movements, for example using two or more infrared position sensitive detectors (IR PSD) to track glint position. The eye tracking information is then processed and translated into visual pointer information that has an impact on the virtual objects of the software.

The abstract of this invention is included below, together with the patent drawing 3A, showing an embodiment of a portion of the HMD (Head Mounted Device) that detects user eye movements.

Methods for enabling hands-free selection of virtual objects are described. In some embodiments, a gaze swipe gesture may be used to select a virtual object. The gaze swipe gesture may involve an end user of a head-mounted display device (HMD) performing head movements that are tracked by the HMD to detect whether a virtual pointer controlled by the end user has swiped across two or more edges of the virtual object. In some cases, the gaze swipe gesture may comprise the end user using their head movements to move the virtual pointer through two edges of the virtual object while the end user gazes at the virtual object. In response to detecting the gaze swipe gesture, the HMD may determine a second virtual object to be displayed on the HMD based on a speed of the gaze swipe gesture and a size of the virtual object.[Abstract US9201578]