Rough Representation - My First attempt - Failed

The basic system of the RED LIGHT RETINA DRAW (RLRD) consists of six parts:

1. Light Source: Laser Diode
2. Condenser lens
3. Fresnel lens
4. LCD
5. Camera or a media source
6. Delivery Optics

List of components of this First Rough Representation:

-49MM 0.43x Altura Photo Professional HD Wide Angle Lens
-5 Inch 800x480 TFT LCD Display for Raspberry Pi
-Fresnel Lens, 100x100mm, Focal Length 50mm
-Thorlabs LD2000R and EK2000 Evaluation Kit Diode Driver
-Thorlabs HL6312G - 635 nm, 5 mW, A Pin Code, Laser Diode
-Condenser Lens 100mm Beam Angle: 60°

System parameters:

-Output voltage of power supply: 8.95 V DC
-Output voltage proportional to the limit current with a transfer function of 40 mA/V on Thorlabs Diode Driver: 1.50V DC ---> 60 mA ---> 3 mW
-Output power from Wide Angle Lens: We use a Pocket Laser Power Meter. It only has 1mW resolution. If it doesn't register on this meter, that's a pretty good sign.
-Temperature inside the system:   72F(equivalent to room temperature).

 

We tried connect a Nikon D3200 to the LCD, after that we used a Vantrue N1Pro camera.  Both attempts failed to produce any image on LCD.

Result: Failed!

Reason: The LCD does not support signal from said cameras. 

 

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The RED LIGHT RETINA DRAW (RLRD) Explained

The RED LIGHT RETINA DRAW (RLRD) projects red images onto the retina through the pupil of the user’s eye. This project is based on a light projection technology just like a regular projector. The technology uses a low power LASER or LED as a source of light. 

At the first stage of this project, we will build a simple projector that projects RED images directly onto retina, that means the user can't see through the device. It's like looking directly into the projector' lens. Assuming that the red light will pass through the iris, cornea... and go straight onto the retina, this project is completely different from the projects using virtual retinal display (VRD) technology.

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My first thought

The device would be like a regular projector, but using red light only and it would project onto the retina instead of projecting onto a screen. The first stage will use low power LASER or LED as a source of light, the light beam will then pass through an LCD screen and go into the retina through the pupil of the user’s eye. 

Then, the device will be upgraded by adding a system of micro mirrors. The micro mirrors reflect the light onto the retina through the pupil of the user’s eye.

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Overview, goal and purpose of the project

The goal of the project is not to give better quality images along with an immersive experience but to create an inexpensive wearable device in terms of helping blind people to improve their vision in normal conditions, so that it can be more convenient in their daily activities. For example, a person with an ocular visual level of 20/100 can increase to 40/100 when wearing the device. The RED LIGHT RETINA DRAW (RLRD) projects red images over the retina through the pupil of the user’s eye. We will only use a low power RED LASER or LED as a source of light. The device doesn't really have high brightness, high contrast, or high resolution.

For the past few years, red light therapy has proven to be effective in treating several medical conditions, including the eyes. The idea of using only red light for this project came about when I read about the studies that show that looking at red light can significantly improve declining eyesight.

 

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The Idea - The first step in my journey

The project will be based on the concept of ​​RED LIGHT. Alternate names for the term red light that would be used in the project:

• Low level laser light
• Low power laser
• Light laser

 

1. The idea about red light is inspired by the Red light therapy.
2. Concept: make a simple device using the red light to help blind people.
3. Design: The device will be a simple wearable device, using only a red light laser as a light source, which displays images onto the retina through the pupil of the user’s eye.

The device will be made based on my research of the effects of red light on blind people.

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