Design of an Augmented Reality Magnification Aid for Low Vision Users

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) systems that enhance visual capabilities could make text and other fine details more accessible for low vision users, improving independence and quality of life. Prior work has begun to investigate the potential of assistive AR, but recent advancements enable new AR visualizations and interactions not yet explored in the context of assistive technology. In this paper, we follow an iterative design process with feedback and suggestions from seven visually impaired participants, designing and testing AR magnification ideas using the Microsoft HoloLens. Participants identified several advantages to the concept of head-worn magnification (e.g., portability, privacy, ready availability), and to our AR designs in particular (e.g., a more natural reading experience and the ability to multitask). We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this AR magnification approach and summarize lessons learned throughout the process.

Augmented Reality in Ophthalmology: Applications and Challenges

“…The applications of AR in low vision aid focus on strengthening the recognizing capability in different strategies, including magnification, edge enhancement, contrast enhancement, object recognition, and text extraction. Magnification is the single most common strategy (39)(40)(41)(42)(43). The images after magnification are showed in a window or covered the user's sight (Figures 4D,E).…”

Towards making videos accessible for low vision screen magnifier users

“…Examples of such aids include dedicated desktop magnifiers [28,58], optical devices for low vision [18], and head-mounted magnifiers with camera attachments [17,29]. Here we provide a breakdown of representative aids, similar to the one provided by [48]: Dedicated desktop magnifiers: [19] Examples of these aids, also known as CCTV include Zoomax [58] and i-See [28]. These aids take as input an image via a camera and display it on a large screen [19,48].…”

“…Here we provide a breakdown of representative aids, similar to the one provided by [48]: Dedicated desktop magnifiers: [19] Examples of these aids, also known as CCTV include Zoomax [58] and i-See [28]. These aids take as input an image via a camera and display it on a large screen [19,48]. Besides providing large screens for viewing comfort, these systems are sometimes integrated with OCR for interacting with text content.…”

“…In these head mounted magnifiers, the movement of the camera and the changes in the scene are intrinsically limited in scope as opposed to videos that as a rule are characterized by rapidly changing content from frame to frame. Moreover, in the current prototypes, panning is either manual [16,17] or is limited to magnifying a few objects selected apriori [47,48,56,57].…”

Augmented Reality for People with Low Vision: Symbolic and Alphanumeric Representation of Information

“…Also, AR glasses will likely become an everyday device in the next decades, reducing the stigma that is often associated with the use of assistive devices [7]. A number of recent studies have demonstrated possible applications for AR, such as enhancing text for reading [10] or poorly-lit ledges [13]. There is comparably less work regarding how AR goggles could be used to substitute degraded or imperceptible visual information [14].…”