Device for reducing eyestrain

Abstract

A device for reducing eyestrain relates to eye health and is applicable during the use of devices with screens. The present device comprises at least one semiconductor source of radiation in a wavelength range of from 360 to 420 nm (1), which produces an irradiance in the vicinity of the user's eyes that is equivalent to from 2 to 20% of the irradiance on the user's eyes from the screen, and at least one semiconductor source of radiation in a wavelength range of from 720 to 1700 nm (2), which produces an irradiance in the vicinity of the user's eyes that is equivalent to from 2 to 80% of the irradiance on the user's eyes from the screen. Said sources (1) and (2) are disposed inside a single housing (3) and are connected to an electronic control unit. The housing (3) of the device is positioned such as to allow radiation from the radiation sources (1) and (2) to be directed into the user's eyes. The invention reduces eyestrain and increases the perceived contrast and saturation of colours.

Description

Eye strain reduction device

[0001] The invention relates to the field of visual hygiene, in particular to a device using combined infrared and ultraviolet radiation and can be used when using screens for displaying digital information and data: computers, tablets, smartphones, televisions, virtual reality helmets and glasses, and instrument panel displays.

[0002] The advent of monitor screens and LED lighting has caused a large number of complaints about increased visual strain, eye pain, characteristic of the "dry eye" syndrome, and other ailments, which will be further united by the term "visual strain". The "dry eye" syndrome generalizes negative sensations in the organs of vision, usually associated with the impact of monitor screens and devices together with semiconductor lighting, having a radiation range in the visible region from 420 to 720 nm.

[0003] It is known that from the spectrum visible to humans, including from LED sources with the main emission band of the semiconductor crystal in the range from 420 to 460 nm, blue light is considered the most harmful to the retina, causing increased visual stress associated with biochemical processes in the retina. Manufacturers of monitors and other display devices with screens of this type offer to use a blue light reduction mode, adjusting the color temperature using a special "eye comfort" mode. The negative feature of this mode is an insufficient reduction of visual stress and a violation of the correct color rendering of the screen.

[0004] There are also a number of known means aimed at reducing visual strain and creating comfort when working with screen devices. Spheroprismatic glasses are known, the lenses of which are equipped with light filters that selectively cut off only the ultraviolet-blue part of the spectrum (patent RU 182007, published on July 31, 2018). This means implements a mode for reducing blue light from the monitor screen in a passive way - by blocking part of the spectrum and introducing distortions into the perceived image - and is practically an analogue of the user-controlled blue light reduction mode used in most modern screens.

[0005] A device is known for protecting a computer user's eyes from drying out, containing a frame located along the perimeter of the computer monitor, equipped with LEDs with the ability to change the parameters of the emitted light at a given frequency (patent RU 168044, published 17.01.2017). In this device, which stimulates blinking of the human eye, the visible part of the spectrum is used, which distracts the user from the information reproduced on the screen and interferes with concentrated work.

[0006] Known is the Ambilight TV external lighting system from the manufacturer Koninkl Philips Electronics, used to improve viewing perception (patent RU 2443073, published 20.02.2012). The system comprises one or two U-shaped light guides, the legs of which spatially correspond to three or four sides of the display screen. In one embodiment, the light sources illuminate the background surface behind the TV, such as a wall. In another embodiment, the light sources are located around the display screen (in one plane) and emit light forward. In yet another embodiment, the light sources directly or indirectly illuminate the dark area between the pixel area of ​​the display screen and the front part of the lighting system. The known solution is used to achieve greater user involvement in viewing images using visible light to create visual effects and does not have a noticeable effect on visual strain.

[0007] There are no known analogues of the proposed device from the current state of the art, however, some elements are used for therapeutic purposes. There are a number of therapeutic methods [5] using infrared (hereinafter referred to as IR) radiation sources for the purpose of recovery after surgeries and injuries of the visual organs, as well as for the purpose of reducing dry eye syndrome. However, their long-term use for hygienic irradiation of the eyes is impossible, since it will lead to injury to the visual organs due to photobiological hazard according to IEC 62471:2006 standards.

[0008] The energy ranges used for IR therapeutic methods are in the range from 0.001 to 0.1 J / cm 2 ([5], p. 4), that in 10 4 times greater than the energy ranges from the IR emitters in the proposed invention. Technical task

[0009] The objective of the present invention is to create a hygienic solution for reducing the visual strain of users when working with screens displaying digital information without disrupting correct color rendering using visually poorly distinguishable radiation sources that do not distract the user with bright visible light. Solution to the problem

[0010] In order to solve the stated problem, a device for reducing eyestrain is claimed, comprising at least one semiconductor radiation source with a wavelength range from 360 to 420 nm, creating in the area of ​​the user's eyes an irradiance of 2 to 20% of the irradiance of the user's eyes from the screen, and at least one semiconductor radiation source with a wavelength range from 720 to 1700 nm, creating in the area of ​​the user's eyes an irradiance of 2 to 80% of the irradiance of the user's eyes from the screen, wherein said semiconductor radiation sources are placed in one housing and connected to an electronic control unit that regulates the power of the radiation sources, the housing of the device is located with the possibility of directing the radiation of the semiconductor radiation sources of both said ranges into the user's eyes.

[0011] The device may contain filters placed on semiconductor sources emitting a wavelength range from 360 to 420 nm and a wavelength range from 720 to 1700 nm, transparent for the specified ranges and opaque for visible light in the wavelength range from 420 to 720 nm.

[0012] The claimed device contains an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as the ECU) that regulates the power of sources of both radiation ranges. The ECU takes into account the indicators of energy illumination in the corresponding parts of the visible spectrum and dynamically adjusts the power of the source of each range separately, receiving a signal either from its own sensors or directly from the visualization device using standard hardware. In the case of using several radiation sources for each range, an ECU with a separate output for each source is used. The ECU is placed in the same housing with the radiation sources, including in the case where the radiation sources are combined with a device containing a screen.

[0013] The claimed device allows to reduce the user's visual strain by supplementing the spectral composition of the screen's radiation to the level of the natural daytime radiation spectrum of the band from 360 to 1700 nm.

[0014] The light emitted by screens and semiconductor light sources differs from the spectrum of fluorescent, halogen, gas-discharge lamps and natural daylight by the complete absence of a spectral range from 360 to 420 nm. In turn, the LEDs used in screens emit at wavelengths greater than 420 nm.

[0015] It is known that the transition of human vision from day to night begins at illumination less than 100 lux and is characterized by pupil dilation, decreased depth of field, visual dulling of colors and decreased contrast. For this reason, the illumination of workplaces with permanent presence of personnel should be at least 200 lux. It is noted that the illumination of 200 lux received from semiconductor light sources is not enough to maintain full daytime vision, as evidenced by the occurrence of the above-mentioned characteristics of the transition to night vision. Other light sources, including those emitting a range from 360 to 420 nm, do not have this feature, all other things being equal.Thus, when using semiconductor light sources and screens, the rhodopsin of the rods of the retina, responsible for night vision, is involved in visual perception, which causes increased visual strain, associated, in particular, with deterioration of visual perception.

[0016] In addition, to replenish the rhodopsin reserves of the retinal rods, in the absence of the spectral component from 360 to 420 nm, retinol (vitamin A) is actively consumed. It is known [1, 2] that after absorbing a photon in the wavelength range from 440 to 550 nm, rhodopsin passes into the Meta I form, which is in equilibrium with the Meta II form and gradually decomposes from it into retinal, which is toxic to the retina. Excess retinal leads to the death of the retinal rods and causes pain in the eyes, which is perceived as visual strain. It was found that irradiation with a radiation range in the region from 360 to 420 nm converts the used rhodopsin into the Meta III form, which is the storage form of rhodopsin. Irradiation with photons from 360 to 420 nm prevents the formation of toxic retinal from the Meta II form and eliminates the need to create rhodopsin from retinol.Thus, the boundaries of the radiation range from 360 to 420 nm are justified by the absorption region of the Meta II form of rhodopsin, under the influence of which the Meta III form is formed, which maintains the rhodopsin reserves in the retina of the eye.

[0017] Additional evidence of the positive impact of the specified radiation range is the identified reduction in the progression of myopia in patients wearing contact lenses and glasses with increased light transmission in the range of less than 400 nm compared to others [3], as well as a reduction in the progression of myopia due to being outdoors [4].

[0018] When talking about the effect of infrared radiation (including the wavelength range from 720 to 1700 nm) on reducing eye strain, it should be noted that under the influence of IR radiation, tissue regeneration is activated and biochemical reactions are accelerated, as evidenced by data on IR eye therapy. Near IR radiation can penetrate eye tissue and promote the restoration of neurons in methanol intoxication, optic nerve injury and neuropathy, retinal damage and pigmentation, and macular degeneration. IR radiation can also help the brain recover from stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegeneration [5].Taking this into account, as well as the fact that about half of the solar energy is distributed in the region of infrared rays with a wavelength of more than 720 nm, a conclusion was made about the need for the presence of a spectrum of the IR component with a wavelength of 720 to 1700 nm, which is perceived by the human eye, for normal vision, including for reducing eye strain, which was confirmed by physiological experiments. The boundary of the selected IR range is due to the fact that about 80% of the energy of the IR spectrum of natural daylight is concentrated in this range.

[0019] The declared ranges of energy illumination of radiation sources with wavelengths from 360 to 420 nm and from 720 to 1700 nm are justified by the following.

[0020] Based on data on the natural ratio of irradiance in the range from 360 to 420 nm and from 720 to 1700 nm to irradiance in the visible part of the solar spectrum [6], it was found that the ratio of irradiance from sources in the range from 360 to 420 nm and IR sources in the range from 720 to 1700 nm to irradiance from the monitor screen should be from 2 to 20% and from 2 to 80%, respectively.Taking into account that the monitor screen copies the radiation reflected from objects, the specified ratio of the irradiance from radiation sources in the wavelength range from 360 to 420 nm and radiation sources in the wavelength range from 720 to 1700 nm to the irradiance from the screen makes it possible to repeat the spectral characteristics and energy indicators of reflected natural daylight, as well as to regulate the energy indicators of the sources in accordance with the color temperature of the image and the color balance on the screen in the range of irradiance natural for humans.The large difference between the minimum and maximum irradiance from radiation sources in the wavelength range from 360 to 420 nm and radiation sources in the wavelength range from 720 to 1700 nm is due to the fact that the eyes are better adapted to the perception of reflected light, the indicators of which depend significantly on the color and reflectivity of the surface at the corresponding wavelength.

[0021] Based on the data on the brightness of the monitor screens, the photobiological safety of the proposed method was calculated using the methods of IEC 62471:2006. The calculation shows that with continuous eight-hour use of the device, the user's eyes will receive a photobiological impact several dozen times less than the maximum permissible safe level.

[0022] The above-mentioned ratio of the irradiances from radiation sources with wavelengths from 360 to 420 nm and from 720 to 1700 nm to the irradiance from the screen is based on the natural spectral composition of daylight and its relative energy indices, taking into account possible fluctuations in screen radiation that depend on the colors being reproduced. Thus, with a low relative intensity of the red part of the spectrum, the intensity of the infrared part should also be reduced. The intensity of radiation in the wavelength range from 360 to 420 nm corresponds to the intensity of the blue part of the spectrum. At the same time, during the physiological experiment it was noted that violation of the limits of the above-mentioned ratios of irradiances leads to an increase in visual strain.

[0023] In this case, the distance from the screen to the user's eyes and / or the device is not of significant importance, since the efficiency of the device, which is associated with the ratio of the energy illumination from the screen to the energy illumination from the device in the specified ranges in the area of ​​the user's eyes, does not depend on it.

[0024] A semiconductor radiation source or a group of them is used as a source of radiation in the wavelength range from 420 to 720 nm. A semiconductor radiation source or a group of them is used as a source of wavelength range from 720 to 1700 nm.

[0025] The number of semiconductor sources is not essential for achieving the technical result and only affects the radiation pattern, which can be compensated for either by selecting a source with a hemispherical 160-180° radiation pattern or by limiting the user's position in front of the device. Positive effects of the invention

[0026] The technical result achieved by the claimed invention consists in reducing visual strain when using screen devices, as well as in visually increasing the perceived contrast and color saturation.

[0027] The claimed invention is illustrated by: Figure 1

[0028] - general view of the device according to example 1. Figure 2

[0029] – front view, general view in 3 / 4 angle, and A – local view of the device according to example 2. Figure 3

[0030] - spectral characteristic of the screen, supplemented by radiation according to example 2.

[0031] In the figures shown: (1) - radiation source with wavelength range from 360 to 420 nm; (2) - radiation source with wavelength range from 720 to 1700 nm; (3) - device housing; (4) - monitor screen radiation spectrum; (5) - radiation spectrum of the source with wavelength range from 360 to 420 nm filtered through Wood's glass; (6) - radiation spectrum of the source with wavelength range from 720 to 1700 nm filtered through IR filter. Example 1.

[0032] The device comprises a housing (3) including one semiconductor radiation source with a wavelength range from 360 to 420 nm in the form of a UV LED with an emission band in the region of 360-420 nm (emission maximum - 395 nm) - (1), as well as one semiconductor radiation source with a wavelength range from 720 to 1700 nm in the form of an infrared LED (COB-IR) with an emission band in the region of 700-1700 (emission maxima - 750, 870, 950, 1050, 1200, 1450 and 1550 nm) - (2). The radiation of the 360-420 nm source (1) is filtered through a Wood filter (ZWB1) to reduce parasitic illumination in the band greater than 420 nm. The 720-1700 nm band light source (2) is also used with a filter (Hoya IR R72).

[0033] The said semiconductor radiation sources (1), (2) are connected to an electronic control unit (not shown) regulating their power for dynamic regulation of radiation intensity when viewing video materials within the declared energy illuminations from 2 to 20% for the range from 360 to 420 nm and from 2 to 80% for the range from 720 to 1700 nm. The ECU consists of a PWM controller controlled by a microcontroller connected via a data bus to a personal computer transmitting an image to the screen. The semiconductor radiation sources (1), (2), as well as the ECU, are placed in a single housing (3) with direction adjustment so that the radiation from them is directed to the area of ​​the screen user's eyes. To reduce the visual perception of the semiconductor radiation sources, light filters are installed on them blocking the visible part of the spectrum in the range from 420 to 720 nm.

[0034] The algorithm of the power control unit operation is implemented by analyzing the image displayed on the monitor screen. The image is analyzed by comparing the main 7 colors displayed on the screen with the library of reference reflected radiation of samples painted in these colors. For each color, the power factors K are preset UV and K IR, соответствующие коэффициентам отражения в ультрафиолетовой и инфракрасной областях. Пересчет требуемой энергетической освещенности диапазона излучения от 360 до 420 нм производится по формуле EUV= KUV× ЕUVS× ЕVGA / ES, где ЕUVS– энергетическая освещенность диапазона 360-420 нм от прямого солнечного света, ЕVGA– энергетическая освещенность от основного цвета на экране монитора, ES– энергетическая освещенность от образца цвета, освещенного солнечным светом. Пересчет требуемой энергетической освещенности диапазона излучения от 720 до 1700 нм производится по формуле EIR= KIR× ЕIRS× ЕVGA / ES, где ЕIRS– энергетическая освещенность диапазона 720-1700 нм от прямого солнечного света, ЕVGA– энергетическая освещенность от основного цвета на экране монитора, ES– энергетическая освещенность от образца цвета, освещенного солнечным светом. При этом для образца голубого цвета принято, что коэффициенты мощности КUVи KIRравны 1 для обоих дополняющих диапазонов. Пересчет требуемой энергетической освещенности по заявленным диапазонам производится для каждого цвета по отдельности, а мощность источника для каждого диапазона излучения рассчитывается на основании суммы требуемых энергетических освещенностей всех цветов.

[0035] The user is placed in a dark room (illumination 20 lx) in front of a 20-inch diagonal monitor screen at a distance of about 100 cm. Thus, the user's angle of view relative to the perpendicular from any point on the screen is limited to an angle of less than 30°. During the time of viewing video materials - twice for two hours with one 10-minute break - the user's eyes were irradiated with the device described above. The device was placed under the monitor at a distance of 100 cm from the user's eyes. Direct radiation from the device is directed toward the user's eyes.

[0036] The following operating mode was set up with the monitor screen: illumination from the white background of the screen at a distance of 100 cm is about 70 lux, color temperature setting is 6500°K, the main images are video material from YouTube hosting according to the subject's preliminary choice. The following results were recorded in terms of symptom reduction: burning (sand in the eyes) by 80%; foreign body sensation by 75%; pain by 70%; blurred vision by 80%; redness of the whites of the eyes by 60%. Quantitative indicators of blinking frequency decreased by 35% and the desire to rub eyes by 80%. The occurrence of eye fatigue from viewing began to occur more than twice as late. Improvement in subjective color perception was noticed by 70% of the subjects, and subjective improvement in the contrast of image perception - by 80%. Example 2.

[0037] The device contains radiation sources, which are a group of twelve LEDs with the declared range from 360 to 420 nm – (1) and a group of forty-two LEDs with the declared range from 720 to 1700 nm – (2). The groups of LEDs (1) and (2) are controlled separately using an ECU consisting of a PWM controller controlled by a microcontroller connected by a data bus to the monitor controller. The ECU together with the groups of LEDs (1) and (2) are integrated into the monitor body (3) measuring 27 inches with an aspect ratio of 16:9.

[0038] The LEDs (1) and (2) are placed in one line evenly along the perimeter of the screen on the lower, upper and side sides of the front part with an inclination relative to the plane of the screen, so that the axes of the light fluxes of all the LEDs converge at one point in front of the screen at a distance of 60 cm from its center, which corresponds to the approximate location of the user's eyes. Neighboring LEDs have different emission bands. UVA-LEDs with maxima at 385 and 405 nm and emission bands in the regions of 360-405 and 380-420 nm, respectively, are used as a source of the 360-420 nm band (1). The 720-1700 nm band source (2) is IR-LEDs with maxima at 750, 870, 950, 1050, 1200, 1450 and 1550 nm and emission bands in the 700-800, 800-900, 900-1000, 950-1150, 1100-1300, 1200-1600 and 1300-1700 nm regions, respectively. The LED powers within the ranges are matched to each other in accordance with the natural irradiance curve.The device does not have the ability to adjust the direction relative to the screen. UVA-LEDs (1) are equipped with light filters (Wood's glass) that block the visible radiation region longer than 420 nm. IR-LEDs with a maximum of 750 nm (2) are equipped with IR filters that are not transparent for the radiation band shorter than 720 nm.

[0039] The algorithm for controlling the power of sources of both ranges is given in example 1.

[0040] The following operating mode was set up for the monitor screen: illumination from the white background of the screen at a distance of 60 cm is about 100 lux, the color temperature setting is 6500°K, the main images are video material from YouTube hosting according to the subject’s preliminary choice.

[0041] To assess the impact of the device use on eyestrain, the applicant used the "Methods for assessing the professional risk of eye strain and measures to prevent it" of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, developed by the Federal State Scientific Institution "North-West Scientific Center for Hygiene and Public Health", approved by the Academic Council of the Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F. F. Erisman (Protocol No. 4 of October 27, 2008). The methods were developed taking into account the persistent trends in changes in the functions of the visual organ among the population due to the increasing volume of visual work, including the use of display equipment, and allow for a quantitative assessment of eye strain when using monitors and display devices.

[0042] The following results were recorded in terms of symptom reduction: burning (sand in the eyes) by 80%; foreign body sensation by 70%; pain by 65%; blurred vision by 75%; redness of the whites of the eyes by 65%. Quantitative indicators of blinking frequency decreased by 40% and the desire to rub the eyes by 85%. The occurrence of eye fatigue from viewing began to occur more than twice as late. Improvement in subjective color perception was noted by 60% of subjects, and subjective improvement in the contrast of image perception - by 80%. Non-patent literature

[0043] [1] Eglof Ritter, Kerstin Zimmermann, Martin Heck, Klaus Peter Hofmann and Franz J. Bartl. Germany. Transition of Rhodopsin into the Active Metarhodopsin II State Opens a New Light-induced Pathway Linked to Schiff Base Isomerization. THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 04 / 2004 Vol. 279, No. 46, Issue of November 12, pp. 48102–48111, 2004, © 2004 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc. (p. 48104 -; p. 48111). https: / pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov / 15322129 /

[0044] [2] Mohana Mahalingama, Karina Martínez-Mayorgab, Michael F. Brownc,1, and Reiner Vogela. Two protonation switches control rhodopsin activation in membranes. PNAS, November 18, 2008 vol. 105 no. 46, 17797 (p.17797,). https: / pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov / 18997017 /

[0045] [3] Hidemasa Torii, Toshihide Kurihara, Yuko Seko, Kazuno Negishi, Kazuhiko Ohnuma, Takaaki Inaba, Motoko Kawashima, Xiaoyan Jiang, Shinichiro Kondo, Maki Miyauchi, Yukihiro Miwa, Yusaku Katada, Kiwako Mori, Keiichi Kato, Kinya Tsubota, Hiroshi Goto, Mayumi Oda, Megumi Hatori, Kazuo Tsubota. Japan. Violet Light Exposure Can Be a Preventive Strategy Against Myopia Progression. EBioMedicine, VOLUME 15, P210-219, FEBRUARY 2017 (p. 217) https: / pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov / 28063778 /

[0046] [4] Mingguang He, MD, PhD; Fan Xiang, MD, PhD; Yangfa Zeng, MD; Jincheng Mai, BSc; Qianyun Chen, MSc; Jian Zhang, MSc;Wayne Smith, MD, PhD; Kathryn Rose, PhD; Ian G. Morgan, PhD. China, 09 / 2015. Effect of Time Spent Outdoors at School on the Development of Myopia Among Children in China https: / pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov / 26372583 /

[0047] [5] Qin Zhu, Shuyuan Xiao, Zhijuan Hua, Dongmei Yang, Min Hu, Ying-Ting Zhu, and Hua Zhong. Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650031, China, 09 / 2020. Near Infrared (NIR) Light Therapy of Eye Diseases: A Review. https: / pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov / 33390779 /

[0048] [6] Lucien Wald. Basics in Solar Radiation at Earth Surface. MINES ParisTech, PSL Research University, O.I.E. – Observation, Impacts, Energy Center, France, 03 / 2018 (p. 32).https: / www.researchgate.net / publication / 322314967_BASICS_IN_SOLAR_RADIATION_AT_EARTH_SURFACE

Claims

A device for reducing eyestrain, comprising at least one semiconductor radiation source with a wavelength range from 360 to 420 nm, creating in the area of ​​the user's eyes an irradiance of 2 to 20% of the irradiance of the user's eyes from the screen, and at least one semiconductor radiation source with a wavelength range from 720 to 1700 nm, creating in the area of ​​the user's eyes an irradiance of 2 to 80% of the irradiance of the user's eyes from the screen, wherein said semiconductor radiation sources are located in a single housing and connected to an electronic control unit that regulates the power of the radiation sources, the housing of the device is arranged with the possibility of directing the radiation of the semiconductor radiation sources of both said ranges into the eyes of the user. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it contains filters placed on semiconductor sources emitting a range of wavelengths from 360 to 420 nm and a range of wavelengths from 720 to 1700 nm, which are transparent for the said ranges and opaque for visible light in the range of wavelengths from 420 to 720 nm.

Images