According to a 2003 World Health Organization report, up to 45 million people worldwide are totally blind, while 135 million live with low vision. However, there is as yet no visual substitution system that can be conveniently used in daily life. The goal of Eye Plus Plus is to provide a lightweight, fully functional system that provides rich, dynamic 2D information to the blind.
The FSRS (Forehead Sensory Recognition System) uses a small camera installed in a pair of sunglasses to capture the view in front of the user. That information is processed by a computer which converts the view to electronic data which is sent along to a headband. The headband has a series of small electrodes installed which broadcast a gentle sensation on the forehead. representing the view in front of the user. All this happens in realtime, so as the user moves, the sensation is an accurate and current representation. The sensation feels a little bit like a limb "falling asleep" and can be compared to a Braille representation of the camera's view. With the aid of an appropriate training program, the device will function to provide the visually impaired with visual information, without any surgery. See the pictures section for a walkthrough of how the device works.
EyePlusPlus, Inc. was established in February 2005 by Yonezo Kanno, with Dr. Susumu Tachi, Professor of Information Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo. Mr. Kanno has developed the idea of using the forehead as a "visual" sensor since 1998 and holds the patent for a device using the forehead as means of understanding visual information. Dr. Tachi and his laboratory have been working on sensory substitution through electrical stimulation since the 1970's and hold several patents related to the use of electrical stimulation.
The collaboration between EyePlusPlus, Inc. and Tachi Laboratory of the University of Tokyo started in September 2003 with the development of the "SmartTouch" technology developed by Dr. Hiroyuki Kajimoto of Tachi Laboratory. Several generations of electro- tactile devices have been developed in order to generate the most functional, effective and comfortable stimuli. As a practical model, the Forehead Sensory Recognition System (FSRS) was finally developed in June 2005.
If you would like more information on how your institution can become affiliated with Eye++, or use the FSRS as part of your program, contact our CFO Harlan Jacobs directly at Harlan@eyeplusUS.com
If you as an individual would like more information on how the FSRS may enhance your life, or that of someone you know, contact us at info@eyeplusUS.com.
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The Forehead Sensory Recognition System
Email: info@eyeplusus.com
Phone: 1-216-360-8120
Fax: 1-216-839-1752