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Personal Video Magnifier


Introduction[edit]

The i-vu is an electronic device that bridges the gap between traditional video magnifiers/CCTVs, and handheld or stand magnifiers. A traditional CCTV average weight is 25 pounds and quite large compared to a handheld or stand magnifier. These particular low vision aids (LVAs) are used in stationary environments such as offices or homes. A new class of handheld CCTVs have emerged in the last few years. These are lighter and designed to be portable; however most of these devices still weigh over 1 pound and cannot fit inside a pocket. The cost of these portable devices is substantially higher than an equivalent handheld or stand magnifier.

Handheld or stand magnifiers are non-electronic devices, often with a built in light, and are portable and convenient. The devices have limitations concerning field of view, distortion, lack of magnification specifications, and training.

The i-vu brings the advantages of a large CCTV to a handheld portable magnifier that will fit inside a pocket. The i-vu consists of a 2 inch LCD, camera, rechargeable batteries, and weighs 4 ounces. Its size is comparable to that of a digital camera.

Statistics[edit]

  • Nearly 14 million Americans - about one out of every 20 people - have difficulty reading newspapers, books, etc because of vision issues.
  • According to Lighthouse, Inc., New York, the older visually impaired population is the 3rd fastest growing population of people needing services in the U.S. being outpaced only by arthritis and heart disease.
  • The older visually impaired population is expected to more than double by the year 2030, when the last generation of baby boomers reaches 65.[1]
  • Though the condition mainly afflicts the elderly, younger Americans are increasingly at risk of irreversible vision loss, particularly as cases of diabetes continue to rise.
  • Almost everyone will be affected personally with low vision or will have a family member or friend that is affected with low vision.


Benefits Over Traditional Magnifiers[edit]

Most handheld magnifiers generate distortion around the outside of the lens.[2][3] In addition, higher magnification requires a smaller lens resulting in a greater amount of distortion.[4][5][6][7] The i-vu does not have lens distortion. The object is captured by a CCD camera on a flat surface. It is then projected to the LCD with no curvature producing an exact replica of the object. Furthermore, the i-vu has the ability to incrementally change the magnification from 5x - 20x which eliminates the need to have multiple magnifiers.

Another limitation with respect to handheld magnifiers is the magnifying effect.[8][9] The magnifying effect is directly correlated to the distance between the user’s eye and object. To obtain the optimum magnifying effect with a traditional handheld device, the user must be positioned at a constant distance from the object. This optimum distance varies from magnifier to magnifier and must be empirically determined since most manufacturers do not specify this parameter.

The i-vu is not limited by the distance between the user’s eye and the object. They provide constant magnification regardless of the distance. The magnification is a measurement of the relationship between the object size and the size that is projected on the LCD screen. There is no correlation between magnification and the distance between the user’s eye and object as it is for handheld magnifiers.


Features[edit]

[10]

  • Weighs only 4oz and fits in a pocket or purse for easy portability.
  • Provides magnification between 5x-20x.
  • Push button freeze frame allows you to bring an image up for closer inspection.
  • Color and inverse modes allow for easier viewing.
  • Power save/Auto shut off maximize the 3 hours of battery life.
  • Low battery indicator lets you know when it is time to recharge.
  • Wall plug or USB charging option.


Applications[edit]

  • Low Vision
  • Reading (Newspaper, labels, prescription bottles)
  • Grocery Shopping
  • Coin Collecting
  • Stamp Collecting
  • Inspecting (Jewelry, Print Quality, Currency)

References[edit]

  1. ^ Lethbridge-Cejku, M., Rose, D., & Vickerie, J. (2006). Summary health statistics for U.S. adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2004. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 10(228)
  2. ^ Den Brinker BPLM, Bruggeman H. Visual requirements for reading: the importance of a large field of view in reading with a magnifier. J Videology 1996;1:27-38.
  3. ^ Beckmann PJ, Legge GE. Psychophysics of reading. XIV. The page navigation problem in using magnifiers. Vision Res 1996;36:3723-33.
  4. ^ Neve JJ. On the use of hand-held magnifiers during reading. Optom Vis Sci 1989;66:440-9.
  5. ^ Watson G, Berg RV. Near training techniques. In: Jose RT,ed. Understand Low Vision. New York: American Foundation for the Blind; 1983:317-62.
  6. ^ Bailey IL, Bullimore MA, Greer RB, Mattingly WB. Low vision magnifiers--their optical parameters and methods for prescribing. Optometry and Vision Science, 1994; 71: 689-698.
  7. ^ Elizabeth Adams. Optical Devices for Adults with Low Vision: A Systematic Review of Published Studies of Effectiveness. May 2003, www.va.gov/vatap
  8. ^ Lovie-Kitchin, J.E., & Woo, G.C. Effect of magnification and field of view on reading spead using a CCTV. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 8, 139-145.
  9. ^ Allen M.Y. Cheong, Jan E. Lovie-Kitchen, Alex R. Bowers. Short-term In Office Practice Improves Reading Performance with Stand Magnifiers for People with AMD. Optometry and Vision Science; 2005;82:114-127.
  10. ^ Clarity, http://www.ivumagnifier.com
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