worked well, but as she used the WS1, it became clear that there was room for improvement. My mother’s feedback, along with input from other seniors in our focus groups, was invaluable in refining the WS1. These focus group members, many of whom used the WS1 to view photos and videos of their grandchildren, provided insights that helped us make the device even more us- er-friendly and effective. ENHANCING THE VISION: ITERATING ON THE DESIGN With each iteration, the WS1 became more refined, incorpo- rating feedback from real users to address their specific needs. For example, we learned that digital zooming, while convenient, often degraded image quality. Instead, we opted for an optical zoom system, where users could adjust the camera’s physical distance from an object to achieve the desired level of magnifi- cation. This approach maintained the clarity of the image, even at higher levels of zoom. Another important improvement was the incorporation of laser and edge detection technology to ensure a crisp, clear fo- cus every time. This feature, combined with an intuitive manual focus button, gave users the flexibility to adjust the image as needed without introducing complexity. LED lights were also added to the system to enhance visibility in low-light situa- tions—a common issue in home environments. A CLOSER LOOK: THE WS1’S FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITY So what exactly does the WS1 bring to the table? At its core, the WS1 is a wireless, self-focusing camera system that broad- casts to a receiver, which can be plugged into any HDMI-com- patible monitor or TV. With the ability to magnify images up to 40X, the WS1 offers powerful visual enhancement in a plug-and- play package. No software installation is required, no internet connection is needed, and there are no tangled wires to deal with—just a straightforward, user-friendly device. The system excels at focusing on rounded or oddly shaped objects as long as the object is sitting motionless. If the auto- matic focus needs a little adjustment, users can simply press a large, easy-to-find button to manually refocus the image. The camera also includes LED lights that can be turned on with an- other large button, providing extra brightness in dimly lit envi- ronments. The WS1 camera can broadcast HDMI video to the receiver approximately 30 foot line of sight distance if needed. In use the camera module can be placed on any flat surface. The articulated arm has a reach of approximately 18 inches. The camera unit weighs about 2.6 lbs. The base is weighted so the camera assembly does not tip over at full extension of the artic- ulated arm. The articulated arm joints incorporates friction hing- es to hold the arm steady in any configuration. The battery is a powerful 10 amp lithium rechargeable battery. One of the WS1’s standout features is its battery life. The cam- era is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can
The WS1 can magnify up to 40X for checking prescription and medication.
gle-board computer. This setup allowed the WS1 to function as a standalone system, eliminating the need for external Wi-Fi or a computer. The camera is mounted on an articulated arm, which could be adjusted to capture the best possible angle, while the receiver connected to any HDMI monitor or TV. For my mother’s setup, we chose an older 46-inch TV, which we mounted on a blank wall in her kitchen. The initial system
The WS1 is at home in the kitchen helping read recipe cards and books, measuring ingredients, and checking controls for oven and kitchen appliances.
10
www.closingthegap.com/membership | December, 2024 / January, 2025 Closing The Gap © 2024 Closing The Gap, Inc. All rights reserved.
BACK TO CONTENTS
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator