Methods and apparatus for treating / preventing refractive errors and for image processing and display

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses useful in the field of image processing and display are disclosed. Methods and apparatuses useful in the field of ophthalmology, and in some particular embodiments, in the non-invasive treatment and / or prevention of refractive errors are also disclosed.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application is granted priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application US 63 / 293,909, filed December 27, 2021, and U.S. Utility Patent Application US17 / 863,715, filed July 13, 2022, both of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.

[0003] Field and background of the invention

[0004] In some embodiments, the present invention relates to the field of image processing and display, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to methods and apparatus for image processing and displaying such images to human subjects. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to the field of ophthalmology, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to methods and apparatus for noninvasive treatment and / or prevention of refractive errors in human subjects.

[0005] A full-term human infant's eye is approximately 1.8 cm long (from the cornea to the back of the eye). The eye grows throughout childhood, reaching a length of approximately 2.5 cm in adulthood, during which time emmetropization ideally occurs.

[0006] Normal vision is the matching between the refractive power of the eye's optical devices and the axial length of the eye, so that distant images are focused on the photoreceptor layer without accommodation.

[0007] Emmetropization is the process of achieving emmetropia, which involves reducing refractive errors present at birth. The refractive state of newborns varies from person to person; most newborns are farsighted and typically become emmetropic over time. The ocular components, particularly the curvature of the lens and cornea, continue to change, and eye growth occurs beyond the time required to achieve initial emmetropia. Therefore, the eye also needs to maintain emmetropia. Emmetropization is undoubtedly partly achieved actively through visual feedback. Little is known about the processes that form the basis for maintaining emmetropia.

[0008] In some cases, the eye achieves emmetropia (normal vision) but continues to undergo physical changes, eventually developing into myopia (nearsightedness). This type of myopia is usually caused by an increase in the axial length of the eye and / or the curvature of the cornea, causing light from distant objects to focus in front of the retina, resulting in decreased visual acuity.

[0009] Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is the most common eye disease in the world. The prevalence of myopia among adults in Europe and the United States is approximately 30% to 40%, while in Asian youth, it is as high as 80% or higher. Some children with myopia experience a continuous progression of their nearsightedness throughout the school year (including high school). Long-term risks associated with the progression of myopia include cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment.

[0010] In the applicant's US11,064,882, a device for screening, monitoring, and / or assessing visual impairment is described.

[0011] US2022 / 0057651 describes a technique for driving emmetropization of the eye, comprising: receiving image data corresponding to a color image; blurring a first color channel of the image data more than a second color channel of the image data in at least a portion of the color image to provide simulated longitudinal chromatic aberration (LCA) in that portion of the color image; and displaying the color image having simulated LCA to provide emmetropization therapy to the eye.

[0012] Additional background art that can be used to understand various aspects of the present invention includes US2019 / 0377191, US2019 / 0094552 and US2018 / 0096461. Invention Overview

[0014] Some embodiments relate to the fields of image processing and display, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to methods and apparatuses that can be used for image processing and displaying such images to human subjects. Some embodiments of the invention herein relate to methods and apparatuses that can be used in the field of ophthalmology, and in some particular embodiments, to methods and apparatuses for non-invasive treatment and / or prevention and / or reduction of eye growth rate for refractive errors (particularly myopia). Some embodiments taught herein can be used for one or more of the following: preventing the development of refractive errors, stopping the progression of existing refractive errors, and reducing the severity of existing refractive errors (particularly myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism). In some embodiments, the methods and apparatuses according to the teachings herein include generating a display image from a base image and displaying the display image to a human subject. The display image includes at least two distinct portions: a central visual portion and a non-central visual portion, wherein the image quality of the non-central visual portion is lower than that of the central visual portion.

[0015] Based on aspects of some embodiments taught herein, a method is provided for the treatment of existing refractive errors and / or the prevention of the development of refractive errors in human subjects, comprising:

[0016] a. Determine the gaze direction of the subject's first eye as it views the image on the display screen, and provide the determined gaze direction to the computer processor;

[0017] b. Following “a”, based on the determined gaze direction of the first eye, a display image for presentation to the first eye on the display screen is generated from the received digital underlying image using a computer processor, wherein:

[0018] i. Display the central visual portion of the image, which corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the first eye, including the determined gaze direction, this central visual portion:

[0019] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0020] The modification alters the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the displayed image compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0021] ii. Display a non-central visual portion of the image that differs from the central visual portion, the non-central visual portion being:

[0022] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0023] The modification alters the visual characteristics of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0024] As a result of the generation, the image quality of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image is lower than that of the central visual portion of the displayed image; and

[0025] c. Display the generated image on a screen, so that the subject's first eye views the image on the screen.

[0026] Based on aspects of some embodiments taught herein, a method for image processing and display is also provided, comprising:

[0027] a. Determine the gaze direction of the human's first eye when viewing the image on the display screen, and provide the determined gaze direction to the computer processor;

[0028] b. Following “a”, based on the determined gaze direction of the first eye, a display image for displaying to the first eye on the screen is generated from the received digital underlying image using a computer processor, wherein:

[0029] i. Display the central visual portion of the image, which corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the first eye, including the determined gaze direction, this central visual portion:

[0030] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0031] The modification alters the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the displayed image compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0032] ii. Display a non-central visual portion of the image that differs from the central visual portion, the non-central visual portion being:

[0033] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0034] The modification alters the visual characteristics of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0035] As a result of the generation, the image quality of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image is lower than that of the central visual portion of the displayed image; and

[0036] c. Display the generated image on the screen so that the first eye of a person views the image on the screen.

[0037] In some embodiments, any method further includes displaying the generated display image on a display screen such that the subject's second eye views the display image on the display screen (i.e., the same display screen or a different display screen (e.g., when the method is implemented using VR goggles)). In some such embodiments, the display image is displayed at the same location on the same display screen for simultaneous viewing by both eyes, i.e., both eyes are looking at the same image displayed on the same display screen.

[0038] Alternatively, in some embodiments, any method further includes, simultaneously with "a" and "b":

[0039] d. Determine the gaze direction of the subject's second eye when viewing the second eye display screen, and provide the determined gaze direction to the computer processor;

[0040] e. Following “c”, based on the determined gaze direction of the second eye, a second display image is generated from the received digital underlying image using a computer processor for displaying to the second eye on the second eye's display screen, wherein:

[0041] i. The central visual portion of the second displayed image, corresponding to a portion of the field of view of the second eye, which includes the determined gaze direction, the central visual portion:

[0042] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0043] The image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0044] ii. A non-central visual portion of the second displayed image, distinct from the central visual portion, wherein the non-central visual portion:

[0045] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0046] The image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the non-central visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0047] As a result of the generation, the image quality of the non-central visual portion of the second displayed image is lower than the image quality of the central visual portion of the second displayed image; and

[0048] f. Display the generated second display image on the second eye display screen, so that the subject (person) views the second display image on the second eye display screen with the second eye.

[0049] In such embodiments, the display is made so that the second eye cannot see the displayed image, and the first eye cannot see the second displayed image. In some such embodiments, the second eye display and the display screen are two different physical components (e.g., some kind of VR glasses). In some such embodiments, the second eye display and the display screen are the same physical screen, but the second displayed image and the displayed image are displayed at different locations on the screen (e.g., some kind of VR glasses with left / right eye partitions), displayed in the same place on the screen but at different times (e.g., shutter glasses), or (e.g., using complementary color stereoscopic or automatic stereoscopic imaging methods) simultaneously displayed in the same place on the same screen.

[0050] In some embodiments, the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to the field of view of a first eye centered on the determined gaze direction of the first eye. Similarly, where applicable, in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the second displayed image corresponds to the field of view of a second eye centered on the determined gaze direction of the second eye.

[0051] In some embodiments, the central visual portion of the displayed image is circular in shape. Similarly, where applicable, in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the second displayed image is circular in shape.

[0052] In some embodiments, the size of the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 1° and no more than about 20° (and, in a particularly preferred embodiment, no less than about 2° and no more than about 8°) for the first eye, the field of view including the determined gaze direction of the first eye. In some embodiments, the size of the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 1° and no more than about 4° and even at least about 1° and no more than about 3° for the first eye, the field of view including the determined gaze direction of the first eye. Similarly, when applicable, in some embodiments, the size of the central visual portion of the second displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 1° and no more than about 20° (and, in a particularly preferred embodiment, no less than about 2° and no more than about 8°) for the second eye, the field of view including the determined gaze direction of the second eye. Similarly, in some embodiments, the size of the central visual portion of the second displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 1° and no more than about 4° and even at least about 1° and no more than about 3° for the second eye, which includes the determined gaze direction of the second eye.

[0053] In some embodiments, the central visual portion of the displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image. Similarly, where applicable, in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the second displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0054] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the displayed image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, thereby changing the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. In some embodiments, this modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion of the displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. Similarly, in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the second displayed image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, thereby changing the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. In some embodiments, this modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion of the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0055] The relative orientation of the central visual portion and the non-central visual portion in the displayed image and / or the second displayed image is any suitable relative orientation. In some embodiments, the non-central visual portion is adjacent to the central visual portion. In some embodiments, the non-central visual portion of the displayed image at least partially surrounds the central visual portion. In some embodiments, the non-central visual portion of the displayed image completely surrounds the central visual portion.

[0056] In some embodiments, the radial dimension of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 2° for the first eye. Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, the radial dimension of the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 2° for the second eye.

[0057] Additionally, in some embodiments, the radial dimension of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of the first eye that is at least minimum and no greater than maximum, where the minimum is about 2° and the maximum is about 30°. In some such embodiments, the off-center visual portion of the displayed image has an annular shape having an inner dimension (typically adjacent to the central visual portion of the displayed image) and an outer dimension such that the difference between the outer dimension and the inner dimension is between a minimum and a maximum. In some embodiments, the minimum is about 3°, 4°, and even about 5°. In some embodiments, the maximum is about 25°, 20°, and even about 15°. Similarly, in some embodiments, the radial dimension of the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image corresponds to a field of view of the second eye that is at least minimum and no greater than maximum, where the minimum is about 2° and the maximum is about 30°. In some such embodiments, the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image has an annular shape having an inner dimension (typically adjacent to the central visual portion of the second displayed image) and an outer dimension such that the difference between the outer dimension and the inner dimension is between a minimum and a maximum. In some embodiments, the minimum value is about 3°, 4°, and even about 5°. In some embodiments, the maximum value is about 25°, 20°, and even about 15°. The advantage of this embodiment is that the computational workload for generating such a relatively small off-center visual portion can be relatively modest, even when using relatively complex operators.

[0058] In some embodiments, the off-center visual portion is the balance of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image; that is, approximately 100% of the area of ​​the displayed image that is not a central visual portion is an off-center visual portion. Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, the off-center visual portion is the balance of the non-central visual portion of a second displayed image; that is, approximately 100% of the area of ​​the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion is an off-center visual portion.

[0059] In some embodiments, a third portion of the image and / or the second image is neither a central visual portion nor a non-central visual portion. In a preferred embodiment, the third portion is not modified or processed, and when displayed on a screen, the third portion appears identical to the corresponding portion of the base image (if displayed). An advantage of this embodiment is that the computational workload for generating a relatively small non-central visual portion can be relatively modest, even when using relatively complex operators, which in some embodiments allows for higher frame rates and / or the use of more complex operators. An additional advantage of this embodiment is that a smaller non-central visual portion is less disruptive to the viewer.

[0060] Therefore, in some embodiments, the off-center visual portion is at least 1% and no more than about 80% of the area of ​​the image that is not a central visual portion. In some such embodiments, the off-center visual portion is at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, and even at least about 30% of the area of ​​the image that is not a central visual portion. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the off-center visual portion is no more than about 70%, no more than about 60%, and even no more than about 50% of the area of ​​the image that is not a central visual portion. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the off-center visual portion is at least 30% and no more than about 50% of the area of ​​the image that is not a central visual portion. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the off-center visual portion is at least 5% and no more than about 50%, no more than about 40%, and even no more than about 30% of the area of ​​the image that is not a central visual portion.

[0061] Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, the non-central visual portion is at least 1% and no more than about 80% of the area of ​​the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion. In some such embodiments, the non-central visual portion is at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, and even at least about 30% of the area of ​​the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the non-central visual portion is no more than about 70%, no more than about 60%, and even no more than about 50% of the area of ​​the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the non-central visual portion is at least 30% and no more than about 50% of the area of ​​the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the non-central visual portion is at least 5% and no more than about 50%, no more than about 40%, and even no more than about 30% of the area of ​​the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion.

[0062] In some embodiments, the off-center visual portion of the displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image. Similarly, where applicable, in some embodiments, the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0063] In some preferred embodiments, the off-center visual portion of the displayed image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification changes the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. In some embodiments, this modification improves the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. Alternatively, in some preferred embodiments, this modification reduces the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. Similarly, and where applicable, in some preferred embodiments, the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification changes the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. In some embodiments, this modification improves the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. Alternatively, in some preferred embodiments, this modification reduces the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0064] In some embodiments, modifications to reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image include at least one member selected from the group consisting of: reducing resolution; blurring; reducing contrast; reducing / increasing brightness; reducing color intensity; reducing or altering the color palette and combinations thereof. In some embodiments where the base image is a color image comprising a red subimage, a green subimage, and a blue subimage, reducing or altering the color palette means reducing the number of possible values ​​that pixels located in the off-center visual portion of one, two, or all three subimages can have in the corresponding displayed image. For example, if the base image comprises three subimages, where each pixel has a value between 0 and 255, in some such embodiments, two of the three subimages remain unchanged, but for one of the subimages (e.g., the blue subimage), the number of possible values ​​that pixels located in the off-center visual portion can take is reduced to 8 (values ​​between 0 and 7).

[0065] In some embodiments, the modification of reducing the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes reducing the resolution.

[0066] In some embodiments, the modification that reduces the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes blurring.

[0067] In some embodiments, the modification of reducing the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes reducing contrast.

[0068] In some embodiments, the modification of reducing the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes reducing / increasing brightness.

[0069] In some embodiments, the modification of reducing the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes reducing color intensity.

[0070] In some embodiments, modifications that reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image include reducing or changing the color palette.

[0071] In some embodiments, the modification to reduce the image quality of the non-central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes changing the value of a pixel in the non-central visual portion relative to the value of a corresponding pixel in the corresponding portion of the base image, wherein the magnitude and / or type of change of the pixel value is independent of the value of any adjacent pixel in the base image.

[0072] In some embodiments, generating a display image includes generating the display image as an image data structure (e.g., an image data file), and displaying the generated display image is the subsequent display of the generated image data structure on a display screen. Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, generating a second display image includes generating a second display image as an image data structure, and displaying the generated second display image is the subsequent display of the generated image data structure on a display screen. In a preferred embodiment, the image data structure is stored during or after generation (e.g., in a computer memory such as RAM or ROM) and subsequently displayed. In some embodiments, the image data structure is generated by running a graphics operator on an underlying image data structure.

[0073] In some embodiments, a display image and / or a second display image are generated using a mask image, which is generated based on a determined gaze direction and is independent of a base image. The mask image includes a non-degenerate central visual portion containing the determined gaze direction, which is typically "transparent" such that when the mask image is combined with and / or displayed together with the base image, the portion of the resulting display image (or second display image) corresponding to the central visual portion appears unchanged on the display screen. The mask image also includes a degenerate non-central visual portion such that when the mask image is combined with and / or displayed together with the base image, the portion of the resulting display image (or second display image) corresponding to the non-central visual portion appears degenerate on the display screen. The computational power required to implement some of these embodiments is typically modest, allowing for implementation at higher frame rates. Furthermore, since the mask image is generated without needing to query pixels of the base image, implementation of this embodiment is relatively simple and straightforward. In some embodiments of generating the second display image, the second display image is generated using the same mask image used to generate the display image, as described herein. Alternatively, in some embodiments of generating the second display image, the second display image is generated using a mask image different from the mask image used to generate the display image.

[0074] In some embodiments, generating a display image includes: generating a mask image independent of a base image, the mask image having a non-degenerate central visual portion and a degenerate off-center visual portion; and combining the mask image with a base image to generate a display image as an image data structure, and displaying the generated display image as the generated image data structure subsequently displayed on a display screen. Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, generating a second display image includes: generating a mask image independent of a base image, the mask image having a non-degenerate central visual portion and a degenerate off-center visual portion; and combining the mask image with a base image to generate a second display image as an image data structure, and displaying the generated second display image as the generated image data structure subsequently displayed on a display screen. In a preferred embodiment, the image data structure is stored (e.g., in a computer memory such as RAM or ROM) during or after generation, and is subsequently displayed.

[0075] Alternatively, in some embodiments, generating the display image includes: generating a mask image independent of the base image, the mask image including a non-degenerate central visual portion and a degenerate off-center visual portion; and subsequently displaying the generated mask image together with the base image on a display screen to simultaneously generate and display the display image. Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, generating the second display image includes: generating a mask image independent of the base image, the mask image including a non-degenerate central visual portion and a degenerate off-center visual portion; and subsequently displaying the generated mask image together with the base image on a display screen to simultaneously generate and display the second display image.

[0076] In some embodiments, the method further includes: providing a computer processor with a distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​a first eye before generating a display image "b"; and generating the display image is also based on the provided distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the first eye. Similarly, when applicable, in some embodiments, the method further includes: providing a computer processor with a distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​a second eye before generating a second display image "e"; and generating the second display image is also based on the provided distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the second eye. In some such embodiments, providing a computer processor with a distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the first and / or second eye includes inputting one or more distance values ​​as parameters to the computer processor. Alternatively, in some such embodiments, providing a computer processor with a distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the first eye includes determining a distance between the display screen and the cornea of ​​the subject's first eye, the determined distance being used to generate the display image, and in some embodiments, also for generating the second display image. Similarly, when applicable, in some embodiments, providing a computer processor with a distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the second eye includes determining a distance between the display screen and the cornea of ​​the subject's second eye, the determined distance being used to generate the second display image.

[0077] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a method is provided for the treatment of existing refractive errors and / or the prevention of the development of refractive errors in human subjects, comprising:

[0078] a. Determine the gaze direction of the subject's first eye as it views the image on the display screen, and provide the determined gaze direction to the computer processor;

[0079] b. Following “a”, based on the determined gaze direction of the first eye, a display image for presentation to the first eye on the display screen is generated from the received digital underlying image using a computer processor, wherein:

[0080] i. The central visual portion of the displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image. This central visual portion corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the first eye, which includes the determined gaze direction.

[0081] ii. The off-center visual portion of the displayed image, which differs from the central visual portion, is modified such that the visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification reduces the image quality of the off-center visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0082] c. Display the generated image on the screen, so that the subject's first and second eyes simultaneously view the image at the same location on the screen.

[0083] The size of the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 1° and no more than about 20° for the first eye, which includes the determined gaze direction of the first eye;

[0084] Wherein, the non-central visual portion completely surrounds the central visual portion and is at least 1% (in some alternative preferred embodiments, at least about 30%) of the area of ​​the image that is not the central visual portion;

[0085] The modification to reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes at least one modification selected from the group consisting of: reducing resolution; blurring; reducing contrast; reducing / increasing brightness; reducing color intensity; reducing or changing the color palette and combinations thereof. In some preferred embodiments, the modification to reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes at least one modification selected from the group consisting of: reducing contrast; reducing / increasing brightness; reducing color intensity; reducing or changing the color palette and combinations thereof.

[0086] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a method is provided for the treatment of existing refractive errors and / or the prevention of the development of refractive errors in human subjects, comprising:

[0087] a. Determine the gaze direction of the subject's first eye as it views the image on the display screen, and provide the determined gaze direction to the computer processor;

[0088] b. Following “a”, based on the determined gaze direction of the first eye, a display image for presentation to the first eye on the display screen is generated from the received digital underlying image using a computer processor, wherein:

[0089] i. The central visual portion of the displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image. This central visual portion corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the first eye, which includes the determined gaze direction.

[0090] ii. The off-center visual portion of the displayed image, which differs from the central visual portion, is modified such that the visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification reduces the image quality of the off-center visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0091] c. Display the generated image on the screen, so that the subject's first and second eyes simultaneously view the image at the same location on the screen.

[0092] The size of the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 1° and no more than about 20° for the first eye, which includes the determined gaze direction of the first eye;

[0093] Wherein, the non-central visual portion completely surrounds the central visual portion and is at least about 1% (in some alternative preferred embodiments, at least about 30%) of the area of ​​the non-central visual portion that displays the image;

[0094] The modification to reduce the image quality of the non-central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes changing the value of the pixel in the non-central visual portion relative to the value of the corresponding pixel in the corresponding portion in the base image, wherein the magnitude and / or type of the change in the pixel value is independent of the value of any adjacent pixel in the base image.

[0095] According to aspects of some embodiments taught herein, an apparatus for image processing and display is also provided, which in some embodiments can be used for the treatment of existing refractive errors and / or the prevention of the development of refractive errors in human subjects, the apparatus comprising:

[0096] A computer processor, functionally associated with a display screen and an eye tracker configured to determine the gaze direction of a person’s first eye as it views an image on the display screen, and to provide the determined gaze direction to the computer processor.

[0097] The computer processor is configured to:

[0098] Based on the gaze direction of the first eye received from the eye tracker, a display image is generated from the received digital base image, wherein:

[0099] i. Display the central visual portion of the image, which corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the first eye, including the determined gaze direction, this central visual portion:

[0100] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0101] The modification alters the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the displayed image compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0102] ii. Display the non-central visual portion of the image that differs from the central visual portion:

[0103] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0104] The modification alters the visual characteristics of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0105] As a result of the generation, the image quality of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image is lower than that of the central visual portion of the displayed image; and

[0106] The generated image is displayed on the screen so that the first eye of a person sees the image on the screen.

[0107] In some embodiments, the display screen is configured such that the subject's second eye can view the generated display image on the display screen (i.e., on a different display screen (e.g., using VR glasses, where each eye has a different display screen) or on the same display screen). In some such embodiments, the generated display image is displayed in the same position on the display screen for simultaneous viewing by both eyes.

[0108] In some embodiments, the device further includes:

[0109] An eye tracker configured to determine the gaze direction of a person's second eye when viewing a display screen, and to provide the determined gaze direction of the second eye to a computer processor;

[0110] The computer processor is also configured to:

[0111] Based on the received digital baseline image and the gaze direction of the second eye received from the eye tracker...

[0112] Generate a second display image, wherein:

[0113] i. The central visual portion of the second displayed image, which corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the second eye, this portion

[0114] The central visual portion includes the determined gaze direction:

[0115] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0116] The image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0117] ii. The non-central visual portion of the second displayed image, which differs from the central visual portion:

[0118] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0119] The image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the non-central visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0120] As a result of the generation, the image quality of the non-central visual portion of the second displayed image is lower than the image quality of the central visual portion of the second displayed image; and

[0121] The generated second display image is displayed on a screen that is functionally associated with the computer processor, so that a person's second eye views the second display image on the screen.

[0122] In such embodiments, the device is configured such that the second eye cannot see the displayed image, and the first eye cannot see the second displayed image. In some such embodiments, the second eye display and the display are two different physical components (e.g., some kind of VR glasses). In some such embodiments, the second eye display and the display are the same physical screen, but the second displayed image and the displayed image are displayed at different locations on the screen (e.g., some kind of VR glasses with left / right eye partitions), displayed in the same place on the screen but at different times (e.g., shutter glasses), or (e.g., using complementary color stereoscopic or automatic stereoscopic imaging methods) simultaneously displayed in the same place on the same screen.

[0123] In some embodiments, the same eye tracker is used to determine the gaze direction of both eyes. In some embodiments, the device includes two different eye trackers, a first eye tracker for determining the gaze direction of a first eye and a second eye tracker for determining the gaze direction of a second eye.

[0124] In some embodiments, the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to the field of view of a first eye centered on the determined gaze direction of the first eye. Similarly, where applicable, in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the second displayed image corresponds to the field of view of a second eye centered on the determined gaze direction of the second eye.

[0125] In some embodiments, the central visual portion of the displayed image is circular in shape. Similarly, where applicable, in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the second displayed image is circular in shape.

[0126] In some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the size of the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 1° and no more than about 20° for a first eye, the field of view including the determined gaze direction of the first eye. In a preferred embodiment, the computer processor is configured such that the size of the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 2° and no more than about 8° for a first eye, the field of view including the determined gaze direction of the first eye. Similarly, where applicable, in some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the size of the central visual portion of a second displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 1° and no more than about 20° for a second eye, the field of view including the determined gaze direction of the second eye. In a preferred embodiment, the computer processor is configured such that the size of the central visual portion of a second displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 2° and no more than about 8° for a second eye, the field of view including the determined gaze direction of the second eye.

[0127] In some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the central visual portion of the generated display image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0128] In some embodiments, the computer processor is configured to modify the base image such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the generated display image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, and this modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0129] In some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the off-center visual portion of the generated display image and / or second display image is adjacent to the central visual portion. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the off-center visual portion of the generated display image and / or second display image at least partially surrounds the central visual portion. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the off-center visual portion of the generated display image or second display image completely surrounds the central visual portion.

[0130] In some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the radial dimension of the off-center visual portion of the generated display image and / or second display image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 2° for the respective eye.

[0131] Additionally, in some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the radial dimension of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of the corresponding eye that is at least a minimum and no greater than a maximum, wherein the minimum is about 2° and the maximum is about 30°. In some such embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the off-center visual portion of the displayed image has an annular shape having an inner dimension (typically adjacent to the central visual portion of the displayed image) and an outer dimension, such that the difference between the outer dimension and the inner dimension is between a minimum and a maximum. In some embodiments, the minimum is about 3°, 4°, and even about 5°. In some embodiments, the maximum is about 25°, 20°, and even about 15°. Similarly, in some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the radial dimension of the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image corresponds to a field of view of the second eye that is at least a minimum and no greater than a maximum, wherein the minimum is about 2° and the maximum is about 30°. In some such embodiments, the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image has an annular shape with an inner dimension (typically adjacent to the central visual portion of the second displayed image) and an outer dimension, such that the difference between the outer and inner dimensions is between a minimum and a maximum value. In some embodiments, the minimum value is about 3°, 4°, and even about 5°. In some embodiments, the maximum value is about 25°, 20°, and even about 15°. An advantage of this embodiment is that the computational effort required to generate such a relatively small off-center visual portion can be relatively modest, even when using relatively complex operators.

[0132] In some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the off-center visual portion is the remainder of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image, that is, approximately 100% of the region of the displayed image that is not a central visual portion is an off-center visual portion. Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the off-center visual portion is the remainder of the off-center visual portion of a second displayed image, that is, approximately 100% of the region of the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion is an off-center visual portion.

[0133] In some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that a third portion of the image and / or the second image is neither a central visual portion nor an off-center visual portion. In a preferred embodiment, the computer processor is configured such that the third portion is not modified or processed and, when displayed on a screen, appears identical to the corresponding portion of the base image (if displayed). An advantage of this embodiment is that the computational workload for generating a relatively small off-center visual portion can be relatively modest, even when using relatively complex operators, which in some embodiments allows for higher frame rates and / or the use of more complex operators. An additional advantage of some of these embodiments is that a smaller off-center visual portion is less disruptive to the viewer.

[0134] Therefore, in some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the off-center visual portion constitutes at least 1% and no more than about 80% of the area of ​​the displayed image that is not a central visual portion. In some such embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the off-center visual portion constitutes at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, and even at least about 30% of the area of ​​the displayed image that is not a central visual portion. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the off-center visual portion constitutes no more than about 70%, no more than about 60%, and even no more than about 50% of the area of ​​the displayed image that is not a central visual portion. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the off-center visual portion constitutes at least 30% and no more than about 50% of the area of ​​the displayed image that is not a central visual portion. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the off-center visual portion constitutes at least 5% and no more than about 50%, no more than about 40%, and even no more than about 30% of the area of ​​the displayed image that is not a central visual portion.

[0135] Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the off-center visual portion constitutes at least 1% and no more than about 80% of the region of the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion. In some such embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the off-center visual portion constitutes at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, and even at least about 30% of the region of the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the off-center visual portion constitutes no more than about 70%, no more than about 60%, and even no more than about 50% of the region of the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the off-center visual portion constitutes at least 30% and no more than about 50% of the region of the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the off-center visual portion constitutes at least 5% and no more than about 50%, no more than about 40%, and even no more than about 30% of the region of the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion.

[0136] In some embodiments, the computer processor is configured such that the off-center visual portion of the generated display image and / or second display image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the corresponding base image.

[0137] In some embodiments, the computer processor is configured to modify the base image such that the visual characteristics of the off-center portion of the generated display image and / or the second display image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, and this modification changes the image quality of the off-center visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0138] Preferably, in some embodiments, the computer processor is further configured to modify the base image such that the visual characteristics of the off-center portion of the generated display image and / or the second display image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, and this modification reduces the image quality of the off-center visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0139] In some embodiments, modifications to reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image include at least one member selected from the group consisting of: reducing resolution; blurring; reducing contrast; reducing / increasing brightness; reducing color intensity; reducing or altering the color palette and combinations thereof. In some embodiments where the base image is a color image comprising a red sub-image, a green sub-image, and a blue sub-image, reducing or altering the color palette means reducing the number of possible values ​​that pixels located in the off-center visual portion of one, two, or all three sub-images can have in the corresponding displayed image. For example, if the base image comprises three sub-images, where each pixel has a value between 0 and 255, in some such embodiments, two of the three sub-images remain unchanged, but for one of the sub-images (e.g., the blue sub-image), the number of possible values ​​that pixels located in the off-center visual portion can adopt is reduced to 8 (values ​​between 0 and 7).

[0140] In some embodiments, the modification of reducing the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes reducing the resolution.

[0141] In some embodiments, the modification that reduces the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes blurring.

[0142] In some embodiments, the modification of reducing the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes reducing contrast.

[0143] In some embodiments, the modification of reducing the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes reducing / increasing brightness.

[0144] In some embodiments, the modification of reducing the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes reducing color intensity.

[0145] In some embodiments, modifications that reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image include reducing or changing the color palette.

[0146] In some embodiments, the modification to reduce the image quality of the non-central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes changing the value of a pixel in the non-central visual portion relative to the value of a corresponding pixel in the corresponding portion of the base image, wherein the magnitude and / or type of change of the pixel value is independent of the value of any adjacent pixel in the base image.

[0147] In some embodiments, a computer processor is configured such that generating a display image includes generating the display image as an image data structure (e.g., an image data file), and that the generated display image is subsequently displayed on a display screen as the generated image data structure. Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, a computer processor is configured such that generating a second display image includes generating the second display image as an image data structure, and that the generated second display image is subsequently displayed on a display screen as the generated image data structure. In preferred embodiments of this kind, a computer processor is configured to store the image data structure during or after generation (e.g., in a computer memory such as RAM or ROM), and then display the stored image data structure. In some embodiments, a computer processor is configured to generate the image data structure by running a graphics operator on an underlying image data structure.

[0148] In some embodiments, a computer processor is configured to generate a display image and / or a second display image by first generating a mask image based on a determined gaze direction, the mask image being independent of a base image. The generated mask image includes a non-degenerate central visual portion containing the determined gaze direction, the non-degenerate central visual portion being typically "transparent" such that when the mask image is combined with and / or displayed together with the base image, the portion of the resulting display image (or second display image) corresponding to the central visual portion appears unchanged on the display screen. The generated mask image also includes a degenerate non-central visual portion such that when the computer processor combines and / or displays the mask image with the base image, the portion of the resulting display image (or second display image) corresponding to the non-central visual portion appears degenerate on the display screen. The computational power required to implement some of these embodiments is typically modest, allowing for implementation at higher frame rates. Furthermore, since the computer processor generates the mask image without querying the pixels of the base image, implementation of this embodiment is relatively simple and straightforward. In some embodiments of generating a second display image, as described herein, the computer processor generates the second display image using the same mask image used to generate the display image. Alternatively, in some embodiments of generating the second display image, the computer processor generates the second display image using a mask image different from the mask image used to generate the display image.

[0149] In some embodiments, a configuration of a computer processor for generating a display image includes: a configuration for generating a mask image independent of a base image, the mask image having a non-degenerate central visual portion and a degenerate off-center visual portion; and combining the mask image with a base image to generate a display image as an image data structure, and displaying the generated display image as the generated image data structure subsequently displayed on a display screen. Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, a configuration of a computer processor for generating a second display image includes: generating a mask image independent of a base image, the mask image having a non-degenerate central visual portion and a degenerate off-center visual portion; and combining the mask image with a base image to generate a second display image as an image data structure, and displaying the generated second display image as the generated image data structure subsequently displayed on a display screen. In a preferred embodiment, the computer processor is configured to store the image data structure (e.g., in a computer memory such as RAM or ROM) during or after generation, and subsequently display the stored image data structure.

[0150] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the configuration of the computer processor for generating a display image includes: generating a mask image independent of a base image, the mask image including a non-degenerate central visual portion and a degenerate off-center visual portion; and subsequently displaying the generated mask image together with the base image on a display screen to simultaneously generate and display the display image. Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, the configuration of the computer processor for generating a second display image includes: generating a mask image independent of a base image, the mask image including a non-degenerate central visual portion and a degenerate off-center visual portion; and subsequently displaying the generated mask image together with the base image on a display screen to simultaneously generate and display the second display image.

[0151] In some embodiments, the computer processor is also configured to generate a display image and / or a second display image based on the distance from the provided display screen to the cornea of ​​the first eye. Similarly, where applicable, in some embodiments, the computer processor is also configured to generate a second display image based on the distance from the provided display screen to the cornea of ​​the second eye.

[0152] In some embodiments, the distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the first eye and / or the distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the second eye is provided as a parameter, for example, an estimated distance based on the screen size and / or intended use.

[0153] In some embodiments, the device further includes components for determining the distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​a first eye and for providing the determined distance to a computer processor; and wherein the computer processor is further configured to generate a display image and / or a second display image based on the provided distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the first eye. Similarly, when applicable, the device includes components for determining the distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​a second eye and for providing the determined distance to a computer processor; and wherein the computer processor is further configured to generate a second display image based on the provided distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the second eye. In some embodiments, the same components are used to determine the distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​both eyes. In some embodiments, the device includes two different components, a first component for determining the distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the first eye and a second component for determining the distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the second eye.

[0154] In a particularly preferred embodiment, an apparatus for image processing and display is provided, comprising:

[0155] A computer processor, functionally associated with a display screen and an eye tracker configured to determine the gaze direction of a person's first eye when viewing the display screen, and to provide the determined gaze direction to the computer processor.

[0156] The computer processor is configured to:

[0157] Based on the gaze direction of the first eye received from the eye tracker, a display is generated from the received digital base image.

[0158] Image, in which:

[0159] i. The central visual portion of the displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image; this central visual portion corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the first eye, which includes the determined gaze direction; and

[0160] ii. The off-center visual portion of the displayed image, which differs from the central visual portion, is modified such that the visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification reduces the image quality of the off-center visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0161] The generated image is displayed on the screen so that the first eye of a person sees the image on the screen.

[0162] The computer processor is configured such that the size of the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 1° and no more than about 20° of the first eye, the field of view including the determined gaze direction of the first eye;

[0163] The computer processor is configured such that the non-central visual portion of the generated image completely surrounds the central visual portion of the generated image, and is at least 1% (and in some alternative preferred embodiments, at least about 30%) of the area of ​​the image that is not the central visual portion.

[0164] The computer processor is configured such that modifications to reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image include at least one modification selected from the group consisting of: reducing resolution; blurring; reducing contrast; reducing / increasing brightness; reducing color intensity; reducing or changing the color palette and combinations thereof. In some preferred embodiments, modifications to reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image include at least one modification selected from the group consisting of: reducing contrast; reducing / increasing brightness; reducing color intensity; reducing or changing the color palette and combinations thereof.

[0165] In a particularly preferred embodiment, an apparatus for image processing and display is provided, comprising:

[0166] A computer processor, functionally associated with a display screen and an eye tracker configured to determine the gaze direction of a person's first eye when viewing the display screen, and to provide the determined gaze direction to the computer processor.

[0167] The computer processor is configured to:

[0168] Based on the gaze direction of the first eye received from the eye tracker, a display is generated from the received digital base image.

[0169] Image, in which:

[0170] i. The central visual portion of the displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image. This central visual portion corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the first eye, which includes the determined gaze direction.

[0171] ii. The off-center visual portion of the displayed image, which differs from the central visual portion, is modified such that the visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification reduces the image quality of the off-center visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0172] The generated image is displayed on the screen so that the first eye of a person sees the image on the screen.

[0173] The computer processor is configured such that the size of the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 1° and no more than about 20° of the first eye, the field of view including the determined gaze direction of the first eye;

[0174] The computer processor is configured such that the non-central visual portion of the generated image completely surrounds the central visual portion of the generated image, and is at least 1% (about 30% in some alternative preferred embodiments) of the area of ​​the image that is not the central visual portion.

[0175] The computer processor is configured such that the modification to reduce the image quality of the non-central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes changing the value of a pixel in the non-central visual portion relative to the value of a corresponding pixel in the corresponding portion of the base image, wherein the magnitude and / or type of change of the pixel value is independent of the value of any adjacent pixel in the base image.

[0176] In this document, the displayed image and the second displayed image (if present) include a central visual portion and a non-central visual portion. In some instances of the priority document, the non-central visual portion is also referred to as the first portion, and the central visual portion is also referred to as the second portion. Brief description of the attached diagram

[0178] Some embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, makes it apparent to those skilled in the art how some embodiments of the invention can be practiced. The drawings are for illustrative purposes and do not attempt to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than are necessary for a basic understanding of the invention. For clarity, some objects depicted in the drawings are not to scale.

[0179] In the attached diagram:

[0180] Figure 1 It is a schematic depiction of the equipment taught in this article;

[0181] Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2C and Figure 2D Flowcharts are drawn, which schematically depict some embodiments of the methods taught herein;

[0182] Figure 3 It is a schematic depiction of the equipment taught in this article;

[0183] Figure 4A This is a schematic depiction of the field of view of an eye according to embodiments taught herein; and

[0184] Figure 4B This is a schematic depiction of the field of view of an eye according to embodiments taught herein;

[0185] Figure 5A A schematic depiction of a display image or a second display image according to embodiments taught herein;

[0186] Figure 5B A schematic depiction of a display image or a second display image according to embodiments taught herein;

[0187] Figures 6A-6K Different embodiments of the displayed image are schematically depicted, which can also be considered as second displayed images, and can also be considered as showing different embodiments of the mask image;

[0188] Figure 7A The basic image is depicted schematically;

[0189] Figure 7B The mask image is depicted schematically; and

[0190] Figure 7C A schematic depiction of from Figure 7A Basic images and Figure 7B The display image is derived from the mask image.

[0191] Description of some embodiments of the invention

[0192] Some embodiments relate to the fields of image processing and display, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to methods and apparatuses that can be used for image processing and displaying such images to human subjects. Some embodiments of the invention herein relate to methods and apparatuses that can be used in the field of ophthalmology, and in some particular embodiments, to methods and apparatuses that can be used for noninvasive treatment and / or prevention of refractive errors in humans, particularly myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

[0193] As mentioned above, after birth, the human eye grows from approximately 1.8 cm to approximately 2.5 cm in length. Ideally, this growth causes light entering the eye through the pupil to focus on the foveal plane, resulting in emmetropia (normal vision). In less ideal cases, this growth causes light entering the eye through the pupil to defocus on the foveal plane, leading to refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

[0194] Methods and devices that at least partially prevent and / or treat existing refractive errors during the human eye's growth cycle would be useful, so that in adulthood, the treated person has a reduced magnitude of refractive error or no refractive error at all. Preferably, such methods and devices are non-invasive.

[0195] Studies have shown that the growth of the eyes in humans and monkeys is affected by the light falling on the retina, see, for example, Read et al., “Light exposure and eye growth in childhood”, Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 2015, 56(11), 6779-6787.

[0196] Other studies in monkeys have shown that even without a connection between the optic nerve and the brain, the effects of light on eye growth still exist: clearly, light falling on the retina causes local chemical and biological changes that affect eye growth.

[0197] This paper also discloses an image processing method for generating display images to be shown to people.

[0198] This paper discloses a non-invasive method for the non-invasive treatment of existing refractive errors and / or the prevention of the development of refractive errors (particularly myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism) in human subjects. A device for implementing this method is also disclosed.

[0199] In some embodiments, the method includes generating a display image and displaying the display image on a screen to be viewed by a human eye, wherein the central visual portion of the display image and / or different non-central visual portions of the display image have been modified such that the image quality of the non-central visual portion of the second display image is lower than the image quality of the central visual portion of the second display image.

[0200] These methods can be implemented using any device or combination of devices. For example, a single computer processor implements all the actions required by the computer processor, or at least two computer processors each perform at least some of the actions required by the computer processor. In some preferred embodiments, these methods are implemented using embodiments of devices according to the teachings herein, such as those described in the "Summary of the Invention" section above.

[0201] Figure 1 The document describes a device 10 for implementing some embodiments of the teachings herein. Device 10 includes a computer processor within a chassis 12, which is functionally associated with a display screen 14 and an eye tracker 16. A human subject 17 has a first eye 18a and a second eye 18b for viewing an image displayed on the display screen 14.

[0202] Figure 2A The flowchart 20 depicts an embodiment of the method taught herein.

[0203] Based on aspects of some embodiments taught herein, a method is provided comprising:

[0204] a. In box 22, (using eye tracker 16) the gaze direction of the subject 17’s first eye 18a as it views the image on display screen 14 is determined and the determined gaze direction is provided to the computer processor;

[0205] b. Following “a”, in box 26, based on the determined gaze direction of the first eye 18a, a display image for displaying to the first eye 18a on display screen 14 is generated from the received digital base image (received in box 24) using a computer processor, wherein:

[0206] i. Display the central visual portion of the image (which corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the first eye 18a, including the determined gaze direction):

[0207] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0208] The modification alters the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the displayed image compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0209] ii. Display the non-central visual portion of the image that differs from the central visual portion:

[0210] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0211] The modification alters the visual characteristics of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0212] As a result of the generation, the image quality of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image is lower than that of the central visual portion of the displayed image; and

[0213] c. Furthermore, in Figure 2A In frame 26, the generated display image is displayed on display screen 14, so that the subject 17’s first eye 18a views the display image on display screen 14.

[0214] Display image generation technology

[0215] As described above, a display image is generated from a base image based on the determined gaze direction of the subject's eyes, and the display image is displayed on a screen.

[0216] like Figure 2B As schematically depicted in flowchart 30, in some embodiments, generating a display image and displaying the generated display image are two separate steps, wherein the display image is first generated and then displayed. Therefore, in some embodiments, generating a display image includes generating the display image as an image data structure (…). Figure 2B (in box 26a), and shows that the generated display image is the image data structure subsequently displayed on the screen ( Figure 2B (See box 26b in the image). Typically, after generation, the image data structure is temporarily stored in computer memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof) and then sent to the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) for display on the screen.

[0217] In some embodiments, an image is generated from a base image by applying an image operator. As is known to those skilled in the art, an image operator transforms an input image (base image) into an output image (display image).

[0218] Local operators

[0219] In some embodiments, the operator is a local operator, that is, such an operator makes the value of a pixel in the displayed image depend on the value of the corresponding pixel in the base image and the values ​​of pixels adjacent to the corresponding pixel in the base image. A typical embodiment of this includes a blur operator.

[0220] In embodiments where the base image is a monochrome image such that each pixel has a single grayscale intensity value, local operators are applied to the grayscale intensity values ​​of pixels in the base image.

[0221] In an embodiment where the base image is a color image composed of three color sub-images (R, G, B), the local operator is applied to only one of the three color sub-images (applied only to the R sub-image, only to the G sub-image, or only to the B sub-image), applied to two of the three color sub-images (applied to the R sub-image and the G sub-image, applied to the R sub-image and the B sub-image, or applied to the G sub-image and the B sub-image), or applied to all three sub-images.

[0222] In some embodiments, when a local operator is applied to two or three color sub-images, the same operator is applied to two of the color sub-images, and in some embodiments, it is applied to all three color sub-images.

[0223] In some embodiments, when a local operator is applied to two or three color sub-images, two different local operators are applied: one local operator is applied to the first color sub-image, while a different local operator is applied to the second color sub-image.

[0224] Alternatively, in some embodiments, when a local operator is applied to all three color sub-images, three different local operators are applied: each local operator is applied to a different color sub-image.

[0225] dot operator

[0226] In some preferred embodiments, the operator is a point operator, that is, the operator makes the value of a pixel in the displayed image depend only on the value of the corresponding pixel in the base image.

[0227] The use of point operators allows for implementations in which modifications to reduce the image quality of a non-central visual portion relative to a corresponding portion in a base image include changing the value of a pixel in the non-central visual portion relative to the value of a corresponding pixel in the corresponding portion of the base image, wherein the magnitude and / or type of change of the pixel value is independent of the value of any adjacent pixel in the base image.

[0228] When the base image is a monochrome image, point operators are applied to the grayscale intensity values ​​of the pixels in the base image.

[0229] In embodiments where the base image is a color image, the point operator is applied to only one of the three color sub-images (only to the R sub-image, only to the G sub-image, or only to the B sub-image), applied to two of the three color sub-images (applied to the R sub-image and the G sub-image, applied to the R sub-image and the B sub-image, or applied to the G sub-image and the B sub-image), or applied to all three sub-images.

[0230] In some embodiments, when the point operator is applied to two or three color sub-images, the same point operator is applied to two of the color sub-images, and in some embodiments it is applied to all three color sub-images.

[0231] In some embodiments, when a point operator is applied to two or three color sub-images, two different point operators are applied: one point operator is applied to the first color sub-image and a different point operator is applied to the second color sub-image.

[0232] Alternatively, in some embodiments, when the point operator is applied to all three color sub-images, three different point operators are applied: each point operator is applied to a different color sub-image.

[0233] A typical point operator involves adding / subtracting a number from the base image pixels corresponding to the non-central visual portion, and multiplying / dividing the base image pixel value by a number. In some embodiments, this number is constant for the entire non-central visual portion. In some alternative embodiments, the value of this number varies depending on the distance between the pixel and the boundary of the central visual portion.

[0234] Local operators along with point operators

[0235] In some embodiments where the base image is a color image, a point operator is applied to the first of the three color sub-images, a local operator is applied to the second of the three color sub-images, and no operator is applied to the third of the three color sub-images.

[0236] In some embodiments where the base image is a color image, point operators are applied to the first and second of the three color sub-images, and local operators are applied to the third of the three color sub-images.

[0237] In some embodiments where the base image is a color image, local operators are applied to the first and second of the three color sub-images, and point operators are applied to the third of the three color sub-images.

[0238] Use a mask image to generate a display image.

[0239] like Figure 2CAs schematically depicted in flowchart 31, in some alternative embodiments, generating and displaying the generated image includes:

[0240] Box 26' generates a partially transparent mask image based on the determined gaze direction;

[0241] Box 26” generates a display image by combining the generated mask image with the base image (received in box 24); and

[0242] Box 26”', and then the generated display image is displayed on the screen.

[0243] In some embodiments, this use of a mask image can be considered as applying point operators to a base image to generate a display image.

[0244] Reference Figure 2B As with the embodiments discussed, in some embodiments, generating the display image includes generating the display image as an image data structure ( Figure 2C (in box 26"), and shows that the generated display image is the image data structure subsequently displayed on the screen ( Figure 2C (See box 26' in the image). Typically, after generation, the image data structure is temporarily stored in computer memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof) and then sent to the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) for display on the screen.

[0245] Generate mask image ( Figure 2C Box 26' in the diagram includes the image data structure that constitutes the mask image. Typically, after generation, the image data structure constituting the mask image is stored, at least temporarily, in computer memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof). The mask image is partially transparent, meaning it includes a non-degenerate central visual portion (the transparent portion of the image mask) and a degenerate non-central visual portion. The position of the central visual portion is set with reference to the determined gaze direction.

[0246] In order to generate a display image ( Figure 2C (in box 26”), combine the generated mask image with the received base image in any suitable manner, such as pixel-by-pixel addition of the mask image and the base image, subtraction of the mask image from the base image, and multiplication / division of the base image by the mask image.

[0247] In a preferred embodiment, the non-degraded central visual portion of the mask image has pixel values ​​such that, after the mask image and the base image are combined, the central visual portion of the displayed image has the same or better image quality as the central visual portion of the base image. Conversely, the degraded off-center visual portion of the mask image has pixel values ​​such that, after the mask image and the base image are combined, the off-center visual portion of the displayed image is degraded (has lower image quality) relative to the off-center visual portion of the base image.

[0248] like Figure 2D As schematically depicted in flowchart 32, in some alternative embodiments, generating and displaying the generated image includes first generating a partially transparent mask image and then simultaneously displaying the base image and the mask image on the display screen.

[0249] In some embodiments, this use of a mask image can be considered as applying point operators to a base image to generate a display image.

[0250] Simultaneously displaying a base image and a mask image on a display screen involves simultaneously generating and displaying the display image on the display screen. Therefore, in some embodiments, generating the display image includes generating a mask image comprising a non-degenerate central visual portion and a degenerate off-central visual portion. Figure 2D (in box 26'); and then the mask image is displayed on the screen together with the base image so as to generate and display the display image simultaneously. Figure 2D (See box 26i). Some such embodiments are implemented on computers that operate with windows as a GUI (Graphical User Interface). After the mask image is generated (box 26'), both the mask image and the base image are sent to the GPU and displayed simultaneously on the display screen in the usual manner (box 26i). The net effect is that a person viewing the display screen sees the displayed image as taught herein, where the displayed image is a combination of the base image and the mask image, as referenced above. Figure 2C In a typical embodiment of this, the portion of the mask image corresponding to the central visual portion is a non-degenerate central visual portion (e.g., "transparent"): when the base image is displayed together with the mask image, the non-degenerate central visual portion of the mask image does not affect the appearance of the central visual portion of the base image, such that the portion of the base image corresponding to the central visual portion appears unchanged to the subject.

[0251] In contrast, the portion of the mask image corresponding to the off-center visual portion is a degenerate off-center visual portion: when the base image is displayed together with the mask image, the degenerate off-center visual portion of the mask image alters the appearance of the off-center visual portion of the base image, thus degrading the appearance of the off-center visual portion. To express it slightly differently, the portion of the mask image corresponding to the off-center visual portion is degenerate (e.g., partially transparent), so when the mask image is displayed together with the base image, the portion of the base image corresponding to the off-center visual portion is seen to "overlap" with the mask image and appears modified, thus reducing its image quality.

[0252] Use a mask (regardless of how it's implemented, e.g., see reference) Figure 2C or Figure 2D The described embodiment allows for the implementation of an embodiment in which the modification of the image quality of the non-central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes changing the value of a pixel in the non-central visual portion relative to the value of a corresponding pixel in the corresponding portion of the base image, wherein the magnitude and / or type of change of the pixel value is independent of the value of any adjacent pixel in the base image.

[0253] View the effect of the displayed image

[0254] This method can be implemented on subjects of any age. For human subjects, the preferred age is generally between 2 and 18 years old, during which time the physical structure of the eye may be more easily altered by visual stimuli.

[0255] Without being bound by any particular theory, it is currently believed that achieving this method would affect biological changes that alter the growth of components of the eye, such as the physical growth of the eye and the development of the optical components of the eye. In some embodiments, this non-invasively treats refractive errors (such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism) and / or prevents the development of refractive errors.

[0256] Without wishing to adhere to any single theory, it is currently believed that the more images a subject views on a display screen according to the teachings of this article, the greater the positive effects they will experience. Since one of the main causes of refractive errors in children (such as myopia) is considered to be viewing images on screens indoors, in a preferred embodiment, the method is implemented on as many, preferably all, display screens as the subject will view throughout the day.

[0257] Specifically, it is currently believed that when the eye views a generated display image, the off-center portion of the retina of the first eye perceives the off-center visual portion of the display image, and this perception influences the growth and physical development of the eye (e.g., the length of the eyeball and the curvature of the cornea). Therefore, for subjects susceptible to refractive errors (such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism), some embodiments of the methods taught herein have prevented the development of refractive errors or reduced the eventual severity of the developing refractive errors. Similarly, for subjects already suffering from refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, some embodiments of the methods taught herein have halted the progression of existing refractive errors or even reduced the severity of existing refractive errors.

[0258] This method was applied to one eye of the subject.

[0259] In some embodiments, the method is applied to only one eye of the subject, i.e., only one eye (the first eye) views the display image generated from the received digital underlying image. In such embodiments, according to the teachings herein, only the first eye experiences the positive effect of perceiving both parts of the display image. In such embodiments, the display image is displayed on a screen such that the first eye views the display image but the second eye cannot. Such embodiments can be... Figure 1 The modification depicts a second eye 18b covered by an eye patch, so that only the first eye 18a can view the image displayed on the screen 14. For the sake of brevity, this modification is not depicted.

[0260] Show the same image to both eyes

[0261] In some preferred embodiments, the method is applied simultaneously to both of the subject's eyes, such that the first and second eyes view the same display image. In such embodiments, both the first and second eyes experience the positive effect of perceiving both portions of the display image as taught herein. Therefore, in some embodiments, the method further includes displaying the generated display image on a screen such that the subject's second eye views the display image (i.e., the same screen as the first eye or a different screen than the screen used for the first eye, for example, one screen per eye on a VR headset with two separate screens).

[0262] In some such embodiments, the displayed image is shown in the same position on the same display screen for simultaneous viewing by both eyes. Such embodiments are suitable, for example, when implementing the method on a computer or television display screen that is viewed by both eyes simultaneously. Figure 1 An embodiment is described in which the first eye 18a and the second eye 18b can simultaneously see the same displayed image on the display screen 14.

[0263] Alternatively, in some embodiments, when the subject wears shutter glasses, the displayed images are shown alternately (rather than simultaneously) in the same location on the same screen for each eye to view, for example, on a display screen configured for alternating display. Figure 3 The illustration depicts an embodiment in which a subject 17 wears glasses 34, which are shutter glasses whose operation is coordinated with the alternating display of images on a display screen 14, as is known in the art, such that each eye 18a and 18b alternately sees the same display image displayed on the display screen 14. Figure 3 The document also describes a rangefinder 35 (e.g., the XL-Maxsonar-EZ2 provided by Maxbotix, Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA), which can be used to implement some embodiments of the teachings herein by providing the processor with distances to eyes 18a and / or 18b, the processor generating a display image, and in some embodiments generating a second display image, as discussed below.

[0264] Alternatively, in some embodiments, such as when the method is implemented on a VR headset comprising a single screen divided into left and right eye portions, the displayed image is shown on the same screen but in different locations for each eye to view. For the sake of brevity, such embodiments are not depicted in the accompanying drawings.

[0265] Alternatively, in some embodiments, such as when the method is implemented on a VR headset, each eye is provided with its own physically distinct display screen, with images displayed on separate screens for each eye to view. For the sake of brevity, such embodiments are not depicted in the accompanying drawings.

[0266] Show different images to each eye

[0267] In some embodiments, the method is applied such that a first eye views the display image as described above, and a second eye views a second display image different from that display image. Such embodiments allow both the first and second eyes to experience the positive effect of perceiving two portions of the display image as taught herein. Therefore, in some embodiments, the method further includes, simultaneously with “a” and “b” described above for the first eye:

[0268] d. Determine the gaze direction of the subject's second eye when viewing the second eye display screen, and provide the determined gaze direction to the computer processor;

[0269] e. Following “c”, based on the determined gaze direction of the second eye, a second display image is generated from the received digital underlying image using a computer processor for displaying to the second eye on the second eye's display screen, wherein:

[0270] i. The central visual portion of the second displayed image (which corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the second eye, including the determined gaze direction):

[0271] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0272] The image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0273] ii. The non-central visual portion of the second displayed image, which differs from the central visual portion:

[0274] It has not been modified compared to the corresponding part in the base image; or

[0275] The image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the non-central visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0276] As a result of the generation, the image quality of the non-central visual portion of the second displayed image is lower than the image quality of the central visual portion of the second displayed image; and

[0277] f. Display the generated second display image on the second eye display screen, so that the subject (person) views the second display image on the second eye display screen with the second eye.

[0278] In such an embodiment, a display image is displayed on the screen such that the second eye cannot see the display image, and a second display image is displayed on the screen such that the first eye cannot see the second display image.

[0279] For the sake of brevity, this article does not present a separate flowchart related to the process for generating the second display image, as this process is similar to... Figure 2A Flowchart 20 in Figure 2B Flowchart 30 and Figure 2C The flowchart 32 in the document is essentially the same as the one used to describe the generation of the display image.

[0280] In some embodiments, the base image is a stereo base image, which includes two sub-images constituting a stereo image pair, a left-eye base sub-image and a right-eye base sub-image. In such embodiments, the display image and the second display image are each generated from appropriate base sub-images. For example, if the first eye is the left eye, the display image is generated based on the left-eye base sub-image, and the second display image is generated based on the right-eye base sub-image. Alternatively, if the first eye is the right eye, the display image is generated based on the right-eye base sub-image, and the second display image is generated based on the left-eye base image. In such embodiments, the display image and the second display image are displayed stereoscopically to the subject in a suitable manner, for example, displayed on a display screen configured for automatic stereoscopic vision (the embodiments of which are detailed in the original text). Figure 1 (As depicted in the image), displayed on a screen configured to alternately display to a subject wearing shutter glasses (when glasses 34 are shutter glasses, the embodiment is as follows). Figure 3 (As depicted in the image), displayed on a VR headset, wherein each eye is provided with its own screen or its own screen portion (not depicted for simplicity), or when the displayed image and the second displayed image are a complementary color stereo pair configured to be displayed to a user wearing complementary color stereo glasses (when glasses 34 are complementary color stereo glasses, the embodiment is as follows). Figure 3 (Depicted in Chinese).

[0281] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the base image is a single-view base image. In some such embodiments, the display image and the second display image are displayed on the same screen for viewing by the respective eyes, for example, on a display screen configured to alternate displays when the subject wears shutter glasses (an embodiment of which is shown in the example where glasses 34 are shutter glasses). Figure 3 (as depicted in the image), when the displayed image and the second displayed image are a complementary color stereo pair configured to be displayed to a user wearing complementary color stereo glasses (when glasses 34 are complementary color stereo glasses, the embodiment is as follows). Figure 3 (as depicted in the image), when the display is configured for automatic stereoscopic vision (in embodiments thereof) Figure 1 (as depicted in the text), or when the method is implemented on a VR headset that includes a single screen divided into left and right eye portions (not depicted for brevity).

[0282] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the display image and the second display image are displayed on different screens for each eye to view, for example, when the method is implemented on a VR headset, where each eye is provided with its own, physically different display (not depicted for simplicity).

[0283] In some such embodiments, the off-center portions of the displayed image and the second displayed image have the same size. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the off-center portions of the displayed image and the second displayed image have different sizes.

[0284] In some such embodiments, the off-center portions of the displayed image and the second displayed image have the same shape. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the off-center portions of the displayed image and the second displayed image have different shapes.

[0285] In some such embodiments, the central visual portions of the displayed image and the second displayed image have the same size. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the central visual portions of the displayed image and the second displayed image have different sizes.

[0286] In some such embodiments, the central visual portions of the displayed image and the second displayed image have the same shape. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the central visual portions of the displayed image and the second displayed image have different shapes.

[0287] In some such embodiments, the modifications performed on the base image to generate the displayed image differ from the modifications performed on the base image to generate the second displayed image. Such embodiments are used when different effects on the development of the corresponding eye are desired.

[0288] Alternatively, in some such embodiments, the modifications performed on the base image to generate the display image are the same modifications performed on the base image to generate the second display image. It is important to note that in such embodiments, the display image and the second display image are not necessarily the same. For example, the location of the modifications is based on the determined gaze directions of the two eyes (which are not necessarily the same). For example, in embodiments where the base image is a stereoscopic base image, the two display images will necessarily be different.

[0289] Display screen

[0290] The generated display image is displayed on the screen such that the subject's first eye (and in some embodiments, a second eye) views the generated display image, and in some embodiments, the generated second display image is displayed on the screen such that the subject's second eye views the generated second display image.

[0291] In some embodiments, the method is implemented on a display screen (e.g., LCD, LED, plasma) designed for viewing from a distance of at least 10 cm (e.g., measured from the subject's cornea to the screen surface). In some such embodiments, the display screen has a viewing distance of at least 100 cm. 2The surface area. A typical embodiment of this uses the display screen of a computer, television, smartphone, or tablet. In a typical embodiment, a single display screen is used to display images to both the first and second eyes. Figure 1 and Figure 3 Such an embodiment is described in the text.

[0292] In some embodiments, the display includes generating a display image and a second display image as a complementary color stereo pair, and displaying the two generated images as a complementary color stereo pair on a display screen to a subject wearing complementary color stereo glasses (simultaneously or alternately).

[0293] In some embodiments, the display includes alternately displaying the generated image to each eye of a subject wearing shutter glasses, wherein the rate and duration of the alternation are coordinated with the activation of the shutter glasses such that each eye sees the appropriate generated image. As described above, in some embodiments, both eyes see the same generated display image, while in alternative embodiments, the first eye sees the display image and the second eye sees the second display image.

[0294] In some embodiments, the display is implemented on a display screen configured for autostereoscopic vision (also known as glasses-free 3D), and the display image is generated and displayed according to autostereoscopic vision methods known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, in some embodiments, the display is implemented on a display screen configured for autostereoscopic vision, and a display image and a second display image are generated and displayed according to autostereoscopic vision methods known to those skilled in the art.

[0295] In some embodiments, the method is implemented using one or more displays of a VR (virtual reality) headset. Typically, a VR headset is a device in which at least 80% of the subject's field of vision receives visual information from one or more screens of the headset. The one or more screens of the VR headset utilize any technology (e.g., LED, LCD, plasma). Typically, but not necessarily, the one or more screens of the VR headset are positioned no more than 15 cm away from the subject's cornea.

[0296] In some embodiments, the VR headset has a display screen for displaying an image to the left eye and a separate display screen for displaying an image to the right eye. In such embodiments, the displayed image and the corresponding second displayed image are each displayed on a different display screen of the VR headset, each image on an appropriate display screen, thereby ensuring that the second displayed image is displayed on the screen such that the first eye cannot see the second displayed image, and the displayed image is displayed on the screen such that the second eye cannot see the displayed image.

[0297] In some embodiments, the VR headset has a single display screen for displaying images to both eyes, wherein a left portion of the display screen is used to display an image to the left eye only, and a right portion of the display screen is used to display an image to the right eye only. In such an embodiment, the display image and the second display image are each displayed on different portions of the VR headset screen, each image on an appropriate portion of the display screen, thereby ensuring that the second display image is displayed on the display screen such that the first eye cannot see the second display image, and the display image is displayed on the display screen such that the second eye cannot see the display image.

[0298] Image display rate

[0299] Typically, in a preferred embodiment, the following is repeated at a rate of not less than 10 Hz and more preferably not less than 30 Hz: determining the gaze direction of the eye, generating a display image (and, if relevant, a second display image) from the received digital base image, and displaying the generated display image (and, if applicable, the second display image).

[0300] Determining the gaze direction of one or both eyes of a human subject is well known and can be done using any suitable device or combination of devices, such as a commercially available eye tracker from Tobii (Danderyd Municipality, Sweden).

[0301] In some embodiments, multiple display images are generated based on a single determined first eye gaze direction, and, if applicable, multiple second display images are generated based on a single determined second eye gaze direction.

[0302] In some instances, the received base image is a still image (e.g., text) intended to be displayed on the display for a relatively long time (e.g., longer than 1 / 30 of a second), for example, lasting at least 0.5 seconds or at least 1 second. In such instances, a series of different display images are generated from the same base image and displayed on the display, each different display image being generated based on a different determined gaze direction, and, if applicable, a series of different second display images are generated from the same base image and displayed on the display.

[0303] In some instances, the received base image is a frame of video with a given frame rate (fps - frames per second). In a preferred instance of this, a single display image (and, if applicable, a single second display image) is generated from a single corresponding frame and displayed on the display screen.

[0304] In some preferred embodiments of this, the gaze direction of a first eye (and, if applicable, a second eye) is determined, a display image is generated from a base image (and, if applicable, a second display image is generated from the base image), and the generated display image (and, if applicable, the generated second display image) is displayed at the frame rate of the video.

[0305] Alternatively, in some embodiments, determining the gaze direction of a first eye (and, if applicable, a second eye), generating a display image from a base image (and, if applicable, generating a second display image from the base image), and displaying the generated display image (and, if applicable, displaying the second display image) are performed at a rate less than the frame rate of the video.

[0306] Alternatively, in some embodiments, determining the gaze direction of a first eye (and, if applicable, a second eye), generating a display image from a base image (and, if applicable, generating a second display image from the base image), and displaying the generated display image (and, if applicable, displaying the second display image) are performed at a rate faster than the frame rate of the video. In some such embodiments, some frames of the video are used as base images to generate more than one display image (and, if applicable, more than one second display image).

[0307] Received digital base image

[0308] A base image is any suitable image used to display to a subject. As described above, in some embodiments, the base image is a single-view image, and in some embodiments, the base image is a stereoscopic image pair including a left-eye base sub-image and a right-eye base sub-image. In some embodiments, the base image is a still image, and in some embodiments, the base image is a frame from a video. In some embodiments, the base image is all or a portion of a scene that the subject is viewing, from which the base image is isolated. In some embodiments, the base image is all or a portion of a stored scene (e.g., a scene as a frame or part of a frame from a movie or video game). In some embodiments, the base image is all or a portion of an acquired scene (e.g., in some embodiments, a scene acquired in real time by one or more cameras), and in a preferred embodiment, a display image is generated from the acquired scene and displayed to the subject in real time.

[0309] Generate a display image from the received digital base image.

[0310] like Figure 4A and Figure 4BAs depicted, according to the method taught herein, the field of view 36 of the eye (first eye or second eye) viewing scene 38 is divided into at least two parts: a first non-central part 40 and a second central part 42. Figure 4B The text also indicates an additional third non-central portion 44 of the field of view 36.

[0311] The display image or second display image according to the teachings of this document includes a non-central visual portion corresponding to the non-central portion of the field of view of the corresponding eye; that is, the display image or second display image is displayed on the display screen such that the non-central portion of the field of view of the viewing eye ( Figure 4A and Figure 4B 44) Perceive the non-central visual portion of the displayed image or the second displayed image.

[0312] The displayed image or second displayed image also includes a central visual portion corresponding to the central portion of the eye's field of vision; that is, the displayed image or second displayed image is displayed on the screen such that the central portion of the viewing eye's field of vision ( Figure 4A and Figure 4B 42) The central visual portion of the perceived display image or the second display image.

[0313] exist Figure 5A The image depicts an eye 18 (either a first or second eye) viewing an image 46a (displayed image or a second displayed image) displayed on a display screen 14 (e.g., a computer display screen). The field of view 36 of the eye 18 is larger than that of the display screen 14. The image 46a displayed on the display screen 14 comprises two parts: a non-central visual portion 48 corresponding to a non-central portion 40 of the field of view 36 of the eye 18, and a central visual portion 50 corresponding to a central portion 42 of the field of view 36 of the eye 18. In order to generate the image 46a from the base image, the gaze direction 52a of the eye 18 is determined just before generating the image 46a.

[0314] exist Figure 5B The image depicts an eye 18 (either a first or second eye) viewing an image 46b (a displayed image or a second displayed image) shown on a display screen 14. Image 46b comprises two parts: a non-central visual portion 48 corresponding to the non-central portion 40 of the field of view 36 of the eye 18, and a central visual portion 50 corresponding to the central portion 42 of the field of view 36 of the eye 18. To generate image 46b from a base image, the gaze direction 52b of the eye 18 is determined before generating image 46b. This gaze direction 52b differs from the gaze direction 52a used to generate image 46a.

[0315] The central visual portion of the displayed image and the second displayed image.

[0316] The position of the central visual part relative to the gaze direction

[0317] As described above, the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the first eye, which includes the determined gaze direction of the first eye, and the central visual portion of the second displayed image corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the second eye, which includes the determined gaze direction of the second eye.

[0318] In some embodiments, the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a portion of the field of view of a first eye, centered on the determined gaze direction of the first eye. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the first eye that is not centered on the determined gaze direction of the first eye. Similarly, where applicable, in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the second displayed image corresponds to a portion of the field of view of a second eye, centered on the determined gaze direction of the second eye. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the second displayed image corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the second eye that is not centered on the determined gaze direction of the second eye.

[0319] exist Figure 4A and Figure 4B The angular dimension 54 of the central portion 42 of the subject's field of vision 36 is indicated.

[0320] exist Figure 5A and Figure 5B In the images 46a and 46b, we can see how the size of the central visual portion 50 corresponds to the angular size 54 of the central portion 42 of the field of view 36 of the eye 18. Figure 5A and Figure 5B In the images 46a and 46b, the central visual portion 50 and the central portion 42 of the field of view 36 of the eye 18 are centered on the corresponding gaze direction 52a or 52b.

[0321] Size of the central visual portion

[0322] As is known in the art, the normal human eye has multiple substantially concentric regions with different resolutions. In descending order of resolution, the foveal field of view is approximately 2°, the central field of view is approximately 5°, the paracentral field of view is approximately 8°, the paracentral field of view is approximately 10°, and the macular field of view is approximately 18°.

[0323] According to some embodiments taught herein, the central visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the corresponding eye, which includes the gaze direction and has an angular dimension of not less than about 1° and not more than about 20°. On a display screen viewed from a distance of 50 cm, a 1° angular dimension corresponds to a linear dimension of about 0.88 cm on the display screen, and a 20° angular dimension corresponds to a linear dimension of about 17.6 cm on the display screen.

[0324] Alternatively, in some preferred embodiments, the central visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the corresponding eye, which includes the gaze direction and has an angular dimension of not less than about 2°.

[0325] Alternatively, in some preferred embodiments, the central visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the corresponding eye, which includes the gaze direction and has an angular size of no more than about 16°, no more than about 12°, no more than about 8°, and even no more than about 5°.

[0326] According to some preferred embodiments taught herein, the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the first eye, which includes the gaze direction and has an angular dimension of not less than about 2° and not more than about 8°. Similarly, and when applied, according to some preferred embodiments taught herein, the central visual portion of the second displayed image corresponds to a portion of the field of view of the second eye, which includes the gaze direction and has an angular dimension of not less than about 2° and not more than about 8°. On a display screen viewed from a distance of 50 cm, a 2° angular dimension corresponds to a linear dimension of about 1.7 cm on the display screen, and an 8° angular dimension corresponds to a linear dimension of about 7 cm on the display screen.

[0327] As is known to those skilled in the art and as just mentioned above, for a given angular size of the field of view, the physical size (e.g., in pixels and / or millimeters) of the corresponding second region of the corresponding displayed image and / or second displayed image depends on the distance between the cornea and the display screen. In some embodiments, the method further includes: providing a computer processor with the distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the first eye before generating the displayed image "b"; and generating the displayed image is also based on the provided distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the first eye. Similarly, when applicable, in some embodiments, the method further includes: providing a computer processor with the distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the second eye before generating the second displayed image "e"; and generating the second displayed image is also based on the provided distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the second eye. Specifically, for example, using basic geometry, based on the received distance, the desired angular size of the central portion of the eye's field of view is transformed into the physical size of the central visual portion of the displayed image or second displayed image on the display screen. In some embodiments, the distance provided for generating the displayed image and the distance provided for generating the second displayed image are the same.

[0328] In some such embodiments, providing the computer processor with the distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the first and / or second eye includes inputting one (or more) distance values ​​as parameters to the computer processor. In some embodiments, the distance from the display screen to the cornea is known and fixed before implementing the method (e.g., when the display screen is a component of VR goggles). In a preferred embodiment, the distance from the display screen to the cornea is provided to the computer processor as a stored parameter.

[0329] In some embodiments, such as when the display is a computer, smartphone, tablet, or television display, the distance between the cornea and the display is not prior known and / or may change during the implementation of the method. In some such embodiments, an estimated “typical” display-to-cornea distance is provided to the computer processor as a stored parameter. For example, in some embodiments, when the display is a smartphone display, the estimated distance is set to 30 cm. For example, in some embodiments, when the display is a tablet or laptop / desktop computer display, the estimated distance is set to 45 cm. For example, in some embodiments, when the display is a television display, the estimated distance is set based on an ideal viewing distance relative to the screen size. For example, some people skilled in the art consider the ideal viewing distance for typical screen sizes to be as follows: a 32-inch screen is ideally viewed from 1.37 m, a 40-inch screen from 1.62 m, a 50-inch screen from 2.13 m, a 60-inch screen from 2.56 m, a 70-inch screen from 2.99 m, and an 80-inch screen from 3.41 m.

[0330] In some alternative embodiments, where the distance between the cornea and the display screen is not prior known and / or may change during the implementation of the method, the actual distance is determined and then provided to the computer processor. Thus, in some such embodiments, providing the computer processor with the distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​a first eye includes determining the distance between the display screen and the cornea of ​​the subject's first eye, the determined distance being used to generate a display image, and in some embodiments, also for generating a second display image. Similarly, where applicable, in some embodiments, providing the computer processor with the distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​a second eye includes determining the distance between the display screen and the cornea of ​​the subject's second eye, the determined distance being used to generate a second display image. Any suitable device or combination of devices can be used to determine such a distance in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, a dedicated rangefinder (e.g., a commercially available IR rangefinder or such as...) is used. Figure 3 The distance is determined by the ultrasonic rangefinder (35 depicted in the image). Alternatively, in some embodiments where the display is functionally associated with a camera (typically for smartphones, tablets, laptops, many desktop computers, and some television displays), the distance is determined based on the analysis of images captured of a person viewing the screen. For example, when Figure 1 And optional Figure 3The device depicted (if there is a reason not to use rangefinder 35) is configured to determine the distance from the display screen to the cornea, which is preferably performed using a camera (not depicted) built into the frame of the display screen 14. Typically, in such embodiments, there is a setup process in which a human subject, for whom the method is implemented, views the screen at one or more predetermined distances. At each of the one or more predetermined distances, a reference image is acquired. The size of one or more features, such as the head or eyes, or the distance between features in one or more reference images is correlated with the corresponding predetermined distance to be used as a reference value to determine the distance from the display screen to the cornea during the actual implementation of the method.

[0331] The shape of the central visual part

[0332] The shape of the central visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image on the screen is any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the shape of the central visual portion on the screen is circular (e.g., ...). Figure 5A and Figure 5B (As depicted in the illustration). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the shape of the central visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image is not circular, but rather elliptical, square, or rectangular. In a preferred embodiment, the minimum size of the central visual portion corresponds to an angular dimension of not less than about 1°, and the maximum size of the central visual portion corresponds to an angular dimension of not more than about 20°.

[0333] In some embodiments, the shape of the central visual portion will be discussed in more detail below.

[0334] Modification of the central visual portion of the image

[0335] As described above, the central visual portion of the displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image; or it is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, and this modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. Similarly, when applicable, the central visual portion of the second displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image; or it is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, and this modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0336] In some embodiments, the central visual portion is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image; that is, the central visual portion is the same as the corresponding portion in the base image: when the eye views the displayed image or the second displayed image, the content perceived in the central portion of the field of view is the same as when the eye views the base image.

[0337] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the displayed image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, thereby improving the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. Similarly, when applicable in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the second displayed image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, thereby improving the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. Modifications that improve image quality are any suitable modifications known in the field of image processing. In some embodiments, such modifications include applying at least one image processing method selected from the group consisting of: increasing contrast, sharpening, changing brightness, changing color, and combinations thereof to the corresponding portion of the base image.

[0338] As is known in the art, in some instances, human subjects have asymmetrical vision, that is, a visual defect that causes the two eyes to perceive the same viewing image differently. In some preferred embodiments that include generating both a display image and a second display image, the modification of the central visual portion of the base image includes “balancing” the central visual portion of the display image with the central visual portion of the second display image, such that these central visual portions are perceived by the corresponding eyes as more similar or even identical. Thus, in some embodiments, where the subject has an asymmetrical visual defect causing the left and right eyes to perceive the same viewing image differently, and where modifying a portion of the central visual portion of the base image corresponding to the display image and modifying a portion of the central visual portion of the base image corresponding to the second display image together include compensating for the asymmetrical visual defect, such that the central visual portion of the display image and the central visual portion of the second display image are perceived as more similar than without such modification. In such embodiments, modifying the corresponding portions of the base image to generate the central visual portion of the display image and / or the second display image includes at least one image processing method selected from the group consisting of:

[0339] Change the size (zoom in / out) of the central visual portion of the base image to produce the central visual portion of the display image and / or the second display image;

[0340] The blurring and / or sharpening of the central visual portion of the base image is altered to produce the central visual portion of the display image and / or the second display image;

[0341] Changing (increasing / decreasing) the brightness of the central visual portion of the base image to produce the central visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image; and

[0342] Change (increase / decrease) the contrast of the central visual portion of the base image to produce the central visual portion of the display image and / or the second display image.

[0343] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the displayed image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, thereby changing the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. In some embodiments, this modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion of the displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. Similarly, in some embodiments, the central visual portion of the second displayed image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, thereby changing the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. In some embodiments, this modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion of the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0344] The non-central visual portion of the image / non-central part of the field of view.

[0345] As described above, in some embodiments, a display image is generated from a received digital base image, wherein the off-center visual portion of the display image, which differs from the central visual portion, is either unmodified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image, or modified such that the visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the display image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, wherein, as a result of generation, the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the display image is lower than the image quality of the central visual portion of the display image. Similarly, when relevant, a second display image is generated from a received digital base image, wherein the off-center visual portion of the second display image, which differs from the central visual portion, is either unmodified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image, or modified such that the visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the second display image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, wherein, as a result of generation, the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the second display image is lower than the image quality of the central visual portion of the second display image.

[0346] The relative orientation of the central visual portion and the non-central visual portion in the displayed image and / or the second displayed image is any suitable relative orientation. In some embodiments, the non-central visual portion is adjacent to the central visual portion. In some embodiments, the non-central visual portion of the displayed image at least partially surrounds the central visual portion. In some embodiments, the non-central visual portion of the displayed image completely surrounds the central visual portion. Figure 5A and Figure 5BIn the images 46a and 46b, the non-central visual portion 48 is adjacent to and completely surrounds the central visual portion 50 of the image.

[0347] The sizes of the off-center visual portions of the displayed image and the second displayed image are any suitable sizes. In some embodiments, the radial dimension of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 2° for the first eye. Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, the radial dimension of the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least about 2° for the second eye. For other embodiments, the sizes of the off-center visual portions are listed in the above summary of the invention section and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0348] In some embodiments, the non-central visual portion is at least 1% of the area of ​​the displayed image that is not a central visual portion, for example, forming a thin ring surrounding the central visual portion. Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, the non-central visual portion is at least 1% of the area of ​​the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion. In some preferred embodiments, the non-central visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image is at least about 30% of the area of ​​the displayed image and / or the second displayed image that is not a central visual portion. In some preferred embodiments, the non-central visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image is at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, and even about 100% of the area of ​​the displayed image / second displayed image that is not a central visual portion. Figure 5A and Figure 5B In the images 46a and 46b, the non-central visual portion 48 is 100% of the region of the image that is not the central visual portion 50.

[0349] In some embodiments, the non-central portions of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image occupy the remaining space of the display screen that is not the central portion of the displayed image and the second displayed image, respectively.

[0350] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the off-center portions of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image each occupy less space than the non-central portions of the displayed image and the second displayed image. In such embodiments, the off-center portions have an inner boundary, which, in typical embodiments, has a shape determined by the shape of the central portion. The off-center portions also have an outer boundary. The shape of the outer boundary of the off-center portions of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image is any suitable shape, and in some embodiments is a shape selected from the group consisting of circles, ellipses, polygons, squares, and rectangles.

[0351] In some embodiments, the off-center visual portion of the displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image. Similarly, where applicable, in some embodiments, the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0352] In some preferred embodiments, the off-center visual portion of the displayed image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification changes the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. In some embodiments, this modification improves the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. In some preferred embodiments, this modification degrades the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. Similarly, when applicable, in some preferred embodiments, the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image. This modification changes the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image. In some embodiments, this modification improves the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

[0353] In some embodiments, the modification to reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of:

[0354] The reduced resolution compared to the corresponding portion of the base image;

[0355] Compared to the corresponding part of the base image, it is blurred;

[0356] Reduced contrast compared to the corresponding portion of the base image;

[0357] Brightness is reduced / increased compared to the corresponding portion of the base image;

[0358] Reduced color intensity compared to the corresponding part of the base image;

[0359] The color palette that has been altered or reduced compared to the corresponding portion of the base image; and

[0360] Their combination.

[0361] In some embodiments, modifications to reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to a corresponding portion in the base image include at least one member selected from the group consisting of: reducing resolution; blurring; reducing contrast; reducing / increasing brightness; reducing color intensity; reducing or changing the color palette and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, modifications to reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to a corresponding portion in the base image include reducing resolution. In some embodiments, modifications to reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to a corresponding portion in the base image include blurring. In some embodiments, modifications to reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to a corresponding portion in the base image include reducing contrast. In some embodiments, modifications to reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to a corresponding portion in the base image include reducing / increasing brightness.

[0362] In some embodiments, the modification of reducing the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes reducing color intensity.

[0363] In some embodiments, modifications that reduce the image quality of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image and / or the second displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image include reducing or changing the color palette.

[0364] In some embodiments, the change in visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image is uniform, that is, the type and extent of modification are the same for the entire off-center visual portion. Similarly, where applicable, in some embodiments, the change in visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image is uniform.

[0365] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the change in visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image is non-uniform; that is, the type and degree of modification are different for the entire off-center visual portion. Similarly, when applicable, in some embodiments, the change in visual characteristics of the off-center visual portion of the second displayed image is non-uniform. For example, in some embodiments, the modification is gradient, wherein the degree of modification is greater closer to the central visual portion. Alternatively and more preferably, in some such embodiments, the modification is gradient, wherein the degree of modification is greater further away from the central visual portion. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the off-center visual portion has n distinct parts, where n is an integer greater than 1, each distinct part having a different modification. For example, in some embodiments, the central visual portion includes two annular parts, an inner annular part and an outer annular part, the inner annular part having a first type of modification, the outer annular part having a second type of modification different from the first type of modification, and / or wherein the inner annular part has a first degree of modification and the outer annular part has a second degree of modification different from the first degree of modification.

[0366] The degree of regression is any appropriate degree of regression. In some embodiments, the degree of regression changes during the treatment process, for example, in response to how the treatment is tailored to a particular subject. For example, the visual acuity of the treated subject is typically monitored at intervals between 3 and 6 months. If a subject's monitoring sessions show that the refractive error has significantly worsened during the previous treatment cycle, the degree of regression increases in subsequent treatment cycles. Conversely, if a subject's monitoring sessions show that the refractive error has remained stable or slightly worsened during the previous treatment cycle, the degree of regression remains the same or decreases in subsequent treatment cycles.

[0367] The initial degree of degradation (that is, the degree of degradation at the start of the treatment process) is any appropriate degree of degradation and can be determined in any suitable manner, typically based on the experience of a person (e.g., an ophthalmologist). In some embodiments, the subject is shown a standard image that has been degraded to a certain degree using some type of modification. The initial degree of degradation is considered when the subject indicates that a particular degradation makes it difficult to perceive details in the image that were previously apparent.

[0368] exist Figures 6A-6K Various embodiments of display images 46 displayed on display screen 14 are depicted, each display image 46 having a central visual portion 50 and a non-central visual portion 48. Figures 6A-6K The image also depicts the gaze direction 52 of the eye 18 used to generate the displayed image 46.

[0369] exist Figure 6AIn this display, the central visual portion 50 is not a circle, nor is it centered on the gaze direction 52, but rather extends towards the upper right portion of the display 14. The non-central visual portion 48 completely surrounds the central visual portion 50 and occupies 100% of the surface area of ​​the display 14 not covered by the central visual portion 50.

[0370] exist Figure 6B In the display, the central visual portion 50 is an ellipse centered on the gaze direction 52 and is completely surrounded by the non-central visual portion 48, which is shaped like an elliptical ring and occupies approximately 10% of the surface area of ​​the display 14 not covered by the central visual portion 50.

[0371] exist Figure 6C In this display, the central visual portion 50 is a circle, not centered on the gaze direction 52, and is completely surrounded by the non-central visual portion 48. The non-central visual portion 48 occupies approximately 50% of the surface area of ​​the display 14 not covered by the central visual portion 50.

[0372] exist Figure 6D In this display, the central visual portion 50 is a circle centered on the gaze direction 52 and is completely surrounded by the non-central visual portion 48. The non-central visual portion 48 is a ring that occupies approximately 2% of the surface area of ​​the display 14 not covered by the central visual portion 50.

[0373] exist Figure 6E In this display, the central visual portion 50 is a circle centered on the gaze direction 52 and is partially surrounded by the non-central visual portion 48. The non-central visual portion 48 is a 190° arc, occupying approximately 2% of the surface area of ​​the display 14 not covered by the central visual portion 50.

[0374] exist Figure 6F In the display, the central visual portion 50 is a circle centered on the gaze direction 52 and is completely surrounded by the non-central visual portion 48. The non-central visual portion 48 is an elliptical ring that occupies approximately 20% of the surface area of ​​the display screen 14 not covered by the central visual portion 50.

[0375] exist Figure 6G In this system, the central visual portion 50 is a circle centered on the gaze direction 52 and is completely surrounded by the non-central visual portion 48. The non-central visual portion 48 consists of two physically separate rings concentric with the central visual portion 50, an inner ring and an outer ring adjacent to the central visual portion 50.

[0376] exist Figure 6H In this display, the central visual portion 50 is a circle centered on the gaze direction 52 and is completely surrounded by the non-central visual portion 48. The non-central visual portion 48 is star-shaped and occupies approximately 5% of the surface area of ​​the display 14 not covered by the central visual portion 50.

[0377] exist Figure 6I In this design, the central visual portion 50 is elliptical, centered on the gaze direction 52, and partially surrounded by the non-central visual portion 48. The non-central visual portion 48 is a discontinuous ring composed of four independent truncated pie shapes.

[0378] exist Figure 6J The image depicts the case where the gaze direction 52 is near the edge of the screen 14. As a result, the central visual portion 50 is a truncated circle, which would be centered on the gaze direction 52 if it were not truncated. The non-central visual portion 48 is a truncated annular shape that partially surrounds the central visual portion 50 due to the truncation.

[0379] exist Figure 6K In the display, the central visual portion 50 is a circle centered on the gaze direction 52 and completely surrounded by the non-central visual portion 48. The non-central visual portion 48 is annular in shape and occupies approximately 20% of the surface area of ​​the display 14 not covered by the central visual portion 50. The degradation level of the non-central visual portion 48 is gradient, with the degradation increasing the closer it is to the central visual portion 50.

[0380] It is worth noting that, in Figures 6A-6K The component marked 46 is the display image, but in related embodiments it also represents a second display image. Furthermore, in... Figures 6A-6K The component marked 46 in the middle can also be considered to represent a mask image in embodiments that include a mask image.

[0381] exist Figure 7A , Figure 7B and Figure 7C The middle section schematically depicts Figure 7A The display image 46 is generated and displayed when the base image 56 and the mask image 58 are displayed together on the display screen, or when the base image 56 and the mask image 58 are combined to generate the display image 46 before display. Figure 7B In the image, the degraded off-center visual portion 60 and the non-degraded central visual portion 62 are indicated by the mask image 58. Figure 7C In the image 46, the central visual portion 50 and the non-central visual portion 48 are indicated.

[0382] Determine the direction of the subject's eye gaze.

[0383] As described above, the method taught in this article includes determining the gaze direction of one or both eyes of the subject, and then generating a display image and / or a second display image based on the determined gaze direction or one or more gaze directions.

[0384] In some preferred embodiments, an eye tracker is used to determine the gaze direction of one or both eyes in any suitable manner. Figure 1 and Figure 3 In the depicted device, an eye tracker 16 is used to determine the gaze direction of the two eyes 18a and 18b.

[0385] The display image generated based on the determined gaze direction of the first eye is such that the gaze direction of the first eye passes through the central visual portion of the display image. Regardless of the direction in which the first eye moves relative to the display screen displaying the image, the display image is generated such that the gaze direction of the first eye passes through the central visual portion.

[0386] When applicable, the second display image generated based on the determined gaze direction of the second eye is such that the gaze direction of the second eye passes through the central visual portion of the second display image. Regardless of the direction in which the second eye moves relative to the display screen displaying the second display image, the second display image is generated such that the gaze direction of the second eye passes through the central visual portion.

[0387] Pupil size and pupil size determiner

[0388] In some embodiments, the size and / or shape and / or degree and / or type of modification of the base image used to generate the central or non-central visual portion of the displayed image also depends on the determined pupil size of the first eye. Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, the size and / or shape and / or degree and / or type of modification of the base image used to generate the central or non-central visual portion of the second displayed image also depends on the determined pupil size of the second eye.

[0389] Therefore, in some embodiments, the method further includes: providing the size of the pupil of a first eye to a computer processor before generating the display image "b"; and generating the display image is also based on the provided pupil size of the first eye. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the method further includes: providing the size of the pupil of a second eye to a computer processor before generating the second display image "e"; and generating the second display image is also based on the provided pupil size of the second eye.

[0390] Pupil size can be determined in any suitable manner using appropriate devices or combinations of devices. For example, the use of eye trackers to determine pupil size is well known in the art.

[0391] Pupil size

[0392] In some embodiments, for any two different generated display images, the off-center visual portion of the display image generated when a larger pupil size is detected and provided to the computer processor is modified to a lesser extent (preferably degraded to a lesser extent) than the off-center visual portion of the display image generated when a smaller pupil size is detected and provided to the computer processor. Similarly, in some embodiments, for any two different generated second display images, the off-center visual portion of the second display image generated when a larger pupil size is detected and provided to the computer processor is modified to a lesser extent (preferably degraded to a lesser extent) than the off-center visual portion of the second display image generated when a smaller pupil size is detected and provided to the computer processor.

[0393] In some embodiments, for any two different generated display images, the central visual portion of the display image generated when a larger pupil size is detected and provided to the computer processor is larger than the central visual portion of the display image generated when a smaller pupil size is detected and provided to the computer processor. In some embodiments, for any two different generated second display images, the central visual portion of the second display image generated when a larger pupil size is detected and provided to the computer processor is larger than the central visual portion of the second display image generated when a smaller pupil size is detected and provided to the computer processor.

[0394] In some embodiments of the device, the device is configured to determine the pupil size of a subject viewing a display screen in one eye and provide the determined pupil size to a computer processor. The computer processor is also configured to generate a display image and / or a second display image based on the determined pupil size of the first eye, for example, as described above. In some embodiments of the device, the device is configured to determine the pupil size of a subject viewing a display screen in one eye and / or a second pupil size of the second eye and provide the determined pupil size to a computer processor. The computer processor is also configured to generate a display image based on the determined pupil size of the first eye and a second display image based on the determined pupil size of the second eye. Components that can be associated with such a device for determining the pupil size of one or both eyes are well known and include one or more cameras and some type of eye tracker, for example, as described above.

[0395] Eye-tracking compensation

[0396] Generally, during a given session in which a subject views a display screen according to the teachings of this article, the central visual portion of the displayed image or second displayed image is viewed by the central vision of the corresponding eye, while the non-central visual portion of the displayed image or second displayed image is viewed by the more peripheral vision of the corresponding eye.

[0397] When the gaze direction is determined, the image is generated, and the generated image is displayed quickly enough (e.g., faster than 60 Hz), a person or subject viewing one or more displays may not be aware of the modifications made to the image being viewed.

[0398] It has been found that in some instances, particularly when using a weaker computer processor or employing more sophisticated image processing algorithms applied to a base image to generate a display image, the delay between determining the gaze direction and displaying the generated image allows foveal vision to perceive the non-central visual portion of the generated image, which may cause discomfort or irritation, especially when the non-central visual portion degenerates.

[0399] To overcome this, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0400] The speed and amplitude of the movement of the first eye are monitored, and if the speed and amplitude of the first eye's movement exceed a specified threshold, no display image and / or even a second display image are displayed; in some embodiments, a base image is displayed instead. The threshold is typically set based on the nature of the specific hardware.

[0401] In some embodiments, the method further includes determining a motion vector of the gaze direction of a first eye, and if the determined motion vector of the gaze direction of the first eye is greater than a threshold, the computer processor further generates a display image and / or a second display image based on the determined motion vector. The display image and / or the second display image are generated such that the central visual portion is sufficiently large and has the correct shape, making it unlikely that a viewer will perceive the non-central visual portion of the generated image using foveal vision. In some such embodiments, a larger motion vector results in the generation of a larger central visual portion. Alternatively, in some such embodiments, a larger motion vector results in the generation of a central visual portion with an elongated shape having a small dimension perpendicular to the determined motion vector and a larger dimension parallel to the determined motion vector. Figure 6AThe text describes a central visual portion 50 with an elongated shape, specifically an elliptical shape when the eye's motion vector is directed toward the upper right corner of screen 14. Similarly, and where applicable, in some embodiments, the method further includes determining a motion vector for the gaze direction of a second eye, and if the determined motion vector for the gaze direction of the second eye is greater than a threshold, the computer processor also generates a second display image based on the determined motion vector. The second display image is generated such that the central visual portion is sufficiently large and has the correct shape that a viewer is unlikely to perceive the non-central visual portion of the generated second display image with foveal vision. In some such embodiments, a larger motion vector results in the generation of a larger central visual portion. Alternatively, in some such embodiments, a larger motion vector results in the generation of a central visual portion with an elongated shape having a small dimension perpendicular to the determined motion vector and a larger dimension parallel to the determined motion vector, such as... Figure 6A As depicted in the text.

[0402] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In case of conflict, the specification, including definitions, takes precedence.

[0403] As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and their grammatical variations shall be regarded as designating the said feature, whole, step, or component, but do not preclude the addition of one or more additional features, wholes, steps, components, or groups thereof.

[0404] As used in this article, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” mean “at least one” or “one or more”.

[0405] As used in this article, when the term "about" precedes a numerical value, the term is intended to indicate + / - 10%.

[0406] As used herein, a phrase in the form "A and / or B" means a selection from the group consisting of (A), (B), or (A and B). As used herein, a phrase in the form "at least one of A, B, and C" means a selection from the group consisting of (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A and B and C).

[0407] Embodiments of the methods and / or devices described herein may relate to performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or in combination thereof. Some of the methods and / or devices described herein are implemented using components including hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, some components are general-purpose components, such as general-purpose computers or digital processors. In some embodiments, some components are special-purpose or custom-made components, such as circuits, integrated circuits, or software.

[0408] For example, in some embodiments, some of the embodiments are implemented as multiple software instructions executed by a data processor, such as part of a general-purpose or custom computer. In some embodiments, the data processor or computer includes volatile memory for storing instructions and / or data and / or non-volatile memory for storing instructions and / or data, such as magnetic hard disks and / or removable media. In some embodiments, the implementation includes network connectivity. In some embodiments, the implementation includes a user interface, typically including one or more input devices (e.g., allowing input of commands and / or parameters) and output devices (e.g., allowing reporting of operating parameters and results).

[0409] It should be understood that certain features of the invention described in the context of a single embodiment for clarity may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention described in the context of a single embodiment for brevity may also be provided individually or in any suitable sub-combination, or are adapted to be provided in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of multiple embodiments are not considered essential features of those embodiments unless the embodiment does not function without those elements.

[0410] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent. Therefore, the invention is intended to cover all such alternatives, modifications, and variations falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0411] Any reference or identification of references in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such references may be used as prior art of the present invention.

[0412] The chapter titles used in this document are for the purpose of understanding the instruction manual and should not be interpreted as necessary limitations.

Claims

1. A device capable of treating existing refractive errors and / or preventing the development of refractive errors in human subjects, comprising: A computer processor, functionally associated with a display screen and an eye tracker configured to determine the gaze direction of a subject's first eye as it views an image on the display screen, and to provide the determined gaze direction to the computer processor; the computer processor includes a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause the computer processor to perform the following steps: Based on the determined gaze direction of the first eye, a display image for displaying to the first eye on the display screen is generated from the received digital base image, wherein: i. The central visual portion of the displayed image, corresponding to a portion of the field of view of the first eye, the portion of the field of view of the first eye including the determined gaze direction, wherein the central visual portion: It has not been modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image; or The image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, thereby improving the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image; and ii. A non-central visual portion of the displayed image that is different from the central visual portion, the non-central visual portion being modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image, such that the visual characteristics of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image are changed compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, the modification reducing the image quality of the non-central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image, wherein the modification reducing the image quality of the non-central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes at least a reduction in contrast; As a result of the generation, the image quality of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image is lower than the image quality of the central visual portion of the displayed image; and The generated display image is displayed on the display screen, such that the subject's first eye views the display image on the display screen; The instructions for generating the displayed image include the following: Generate a mask image independent of the base image, the mask image comprising a non-degenerate central visual portion and a degenerate non-central visual portion; and The mask image is then displayed on the display screen together with the base image to generate and display the display image simultaneously; Furthermore, the display of the generated mask image together with the base image alters the appearance of the off-center visual portion of the base image on the display screen, making the portion of the base image corresponding to the off-center visual portion appear degraded to the subject.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The instructions also include the following: displaying the generated display image on a display screen, such that the subject's second eye views the display image on the display screen.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The displayed image is shown at the same position on the display screen for both eyes to view simultaneously.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: The eye tracker determines the gaze direction of the subject's second eye when viewing the second eye display screen and provides the determined gaze direction to the computer processor; When the instruction is executed, the computer processor further performs the following steps: Based on the determined gaze direction of the second eye, a second display image is generated from the received digital base image for displaying to the second eye on the second eye's display screen, wherein: i. The central visual portion of the second displayed image, corresponding to a portion of the field of view of the second eye, the portion of the field of view of the second eye including the determined gaze direction, the central visual portion: It has not been modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image; or The image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, thereby improving the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image; and ii. A non-central visual portion of the second displayed image that is different from the central visual portion, the non-central visual portion being modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image, such that the visual characteristics of the non-central visual portion of the second displayed image are changed compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, the modification reducing the image quality of the non-central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image, wherein the modification reducing the image quality of the non-central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes at least a reduction in contrast; As a result of the generation, the image quality of the non-central visual portion of the second displayed image is lower than the image quality of the central visual portion of the second displayed image; and The generated second display image is displayed on the second eye display screen, so that the subject's second eye views the second display image on the second eye display screen.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The instructions also include the following: the size of the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least 1° and no more than 20° for the first eye, the field of view including the determined gaze direction of the first eye.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The instructions also include the following: the central visual portion of the displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The instructions also include the following instructions: modifying the central visual portion of the displayed image such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the displayed image are changed compared with the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, the modification improving the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The instructions also include the following: the non-central visual portion of the displayed image completely surrounds the central visual portion.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The instructions also include the following: the radial dimension of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to at least 2° of the field of view of the first eye.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The instructions for generating the display image include instructions for generating the display image as an image data structure; and the display of the generated display image is then displayed on the display screen as the image data structure.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a component for providing the computer processor with the distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the first eye before generating the display image; and the instruction to generate the display image is further based on the provided distance from the display screen to the cornea of ​​the first eye.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The display of the generated mask image together with the base image does not affect the appearance of the central visual portion of the base image on the display screen, so that the portion of the base image corresponding to the central visual portion appears unchanged to the subject.

13. An apparatus for image processing and display, comprising: A computer processor, functionally associated with a display screen and an eye tracker, the eye tracker being configured to determine the gaze direction of a person's first eye as it views an image on the display screen, and to provide the determined gaze direction to the computer processor, the computer processor being configured to: Based on the gaze direction of the first eye received from the eye tracker, a display image is generated from the received digital base image, wherein: i. The central visual portion of the displayed image, corresponding to a portion of the field of view of the first eye, the portion of the field of view of the first eye including the determined gaze direction, wherein the central visual portion: It has not been modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image; or The image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, thereby improving the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image; and ii. A non-central visual portion of the displayed image that is different from the central visual portion, the non-central visual portion being modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image, such that the visual characteristics of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image are changed compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, the modification reducing the image quality of the non-central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image, wherein the modification reducing the image quality of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes at least a reduction in contrast; As a result of the generation, the image quality of the non-central visual portion of the displayed image is lower than the image quality of the central visual portion of the displayed image; and The generated display image is displayed on the display screen, so that a person's first eye views the display image on the display screen; The configuration of the computer processor for generating and displaying the generated display image includes: Configuration for generating a mask image independent of the base image, the mask image comprising a non-degenerate central visual portion and a degenerate non-central visual portion; and A configuration for simultaneously generating and displaying the generated mask image along with the base image on the display screen; Furthermore, as a result of the display of the generated mask image together with the base image, the appearance of the off-center visual portion of the base image on the display screen is altered, so that the portion of the base image corresponding to the off-center visual portion appears degraded to the subject.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the display screen is configured such that a person's second eye can view the generated display image on the display screen.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein, The generated display image is shown at the same position on the display screen for both eyes to view simultaneously.

16. The device according to claim 13, further comprising: The eye tracker is configured to determine the gaze direction of a person's second eye when viewing the display screen, and to provide the determined gaze direction to the computer processor; The computer processor is also configured to: A second display image is generated based on the received digital base image and the gaze direction of the second eye received from the eye tracker, wherein: i. The central visual portion of the second displayed image, corresponding to a portion of the field of view of the second eye, the portion of the field of view of the second eye including the determined gaze direction, wherein the central visual portion: It has not been modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image; or The image is modified such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the second displayed image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, thereby improving the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image; and ii. A non-central visual portion of the second displayed image that is different from the central visual portion, the non-central visual portion being modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image, such that the visual characteristics of the non-central visual portion of the second displayed image are changed compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, the modification reducing the image quality of the non-central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image, wherein the modification reducing the image quality of the non-central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image includes at least a reduction in contrast; As a result of the generation, the image quality of the non-central visual portion of the second displayed image is lower than the image quality of the central visual portion of the second displayed image; and The generated second display image is displayed on a screen associated with the functions of the computer processor, such that a person's second eye views the second display image on the screen.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the computer processor is configured such that the size of the central visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least 1° and no more than 20° of the first eye, the field of view including the determined gaze direction of the first eye.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the computer processor is configured such that the central visual portion of the displayed image is not modified compared to the corresponding portion in the base image.

19. The device according to claim 13, wherein, The computer processor is configured to modify the base image such that the visual characteristics of the central visual portion of the generated display image are altered compared to the corresponding visual characteristics of the corresponding portion in the base image, and the modification improves the image quality of the central visual portion relative to the corresponding portion in the base image.

20. The device of claim 13, wherein the computer processor is configured such that the off-center visual portion of the displayed image completely surrounds the central visual portion.

21. The device of claim 13, wherein the computer processor is configured such that the radial dimension of the off-center visual portion of the displayed image corresponds to a field of view of at least 2° for the first eye.

22. The device according to claim 13, wherein: The configuration of the computer processor for generating the display image includes configuration for generating the display image as an image data structure, and The configuration for displaying the generated display image includes a configuration for displaying image data structures on the display screen.

23. The device of claim 13, wherein the computer processor is configured to further generate a display image based on the distance from the provided display screen to the cornea of ​​the first eye.

24. The device according to claim 13, wherein, As a result of the display of the generated mask image together with the base image, the appearance of the central visual portion of the base image on the display screen is unaffected, such that the portion of the base image corresponding to the central visual portion appears unchanged to the subject.

Images