Requirements of Head Mounted Display for Low Vision Aids

Abstract

We are developing a head mounted display (HMD) which aids a low vision individual in his visual recognition (we may call it an "eyesight aid" taking a visual equivalent for "hearing aid"). We assume our targeting eyesight aid to be equipped with the following helping functions.1. Visual recognition: it helps the low vision individual find out the object in his view which he wants to recognize or the one which he is better to recognize (for example, a pictogram of a toilet).2. Proper viewing: if he is of narrowed view or of lack of part of view, it navigates his view (gaze) point to the direction in which he could catch the object in the clear view region.3. Easy seeing: it enhances the image on the display, for example, it exchanges black and white colors, adjusts contrast.In this paper we describe design guidelines for developing such HMD. We also give situations where a low vision individual increases his walking and recognition of the environment by the use of the HMD.