Hardware

1. A spectacle-like device (the glasses), containing two cameras, three acceleration sensors, and a set of headphones.
2. A pouche containing the electronics needed for the cameras and to interact with the user (mainly a small keypad) as well as the batteries.
3. The computer, currently a seperate entity, although it is planned (and quite realistic) to include it into the pouch.

The Glasses

The glasses, a spectacle like device, were build by Jurca Optoelektronik GmbH. They consist of two miniature cameras, one on each side of the head, and two headphones (these do not go directly into the ears, but can be afixed on the frame close to the ears, leaving the ears free to perform their vital function). In addition, three acceleration sensors are mounted atop the glasses, providing the glasse's (and therefore the head's) angles of roll and tilt.

The Cameras

The cameras used are two miniature cameras made by teli. The cameras measured 1.7cm by 5.5cm originally, but where shortened to less than 5cm by Jurca Optoelektronik GmbH, the partner who build the glasses.

They are 1-chip colour cameras with a chip measuring 6.4mm by 4.8mm. The maximum resolution is 470 lines by 420 lines. However, since the cameras supply interlaced images, only half the image can be used each time, bringing the resolution down to something like 470 lines by 210 lines. The cameras use a 7.5mm lense made by Toshiba which, unfortunately, shows considerable distortions. To give you an idea what to expect from a 470 times 210 image, here is one (without the nonlinear distortion).

The Acceleration Sensors

Mounted atop the camera are three acceleration sensors. These are used to measure the cameras angles' of roll and tilt relative to some initial starting position. This can for example be used to identify the maximum extend of regions within the camera-image containing e.g. zebra-crossings. It can also be used to veriefy the pose of possible objects, and for several other purposes.

However, this is a rather new addition to the glasses and hasn't been fully integrated nor tested yet.

The Headphones

the headphones used for the MOVIS prototype are standard consumer headphones, similar or identical to the ones people are using for their walkman. They do not insert directly into the ear, but are mounted close to it. This allows the blind user to retain his full aural abilities while using MOVIS.

The Pouch

the pouch currently contains the electronic for the cameras, the user-interface (basically a keypad) as well as the batteries. It measures approximately 30cm by 23cm by 12cm. However, currently it contains mostly empty space. The aim

The Computer

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last modified: 21-Jun-2005

Sven Utcke