Optical biometric device

Abstract

The present application provides an optical biometric device, which includes a light source module, a light splitting module, a reference arm, a sensing arm and a sensing module. The light source module is configured to emit incident light. The light splitting module is configured to split the incident light into reference light and sensing light. The reference arm is configured to generate first reflected light based on the reference light. The sensing arm is configured to direct the sensing light to an eye and receive second reflected light from the eye. The sensing module is configured to generate a sensing result based on the first reflected light and the second reflected light. In a first mode, the sensing light is directed to a first location of the eye. In a second mode, the sensing light is directed to a second location of the eye. The incident light emitted by the light source module is partially annular light, and the sensing result includes a partially annular image related to the eye.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to biometrics, and more particularly to an optical biometric device. Background Technology

[0002] like Figure 1 As shown, a typical optical coherence tomography (OCT) biometer 1 includes a light source module LS, a beam splitter module SP, a reference arm RA, a sensing arm SA, and a sensing module SE. The incident light LIN emitted by the light source module LS is split into a reference light L1 and a sensing light L2 by the beam splitter SP, and then transmitted to the reference arm RA and the sensing arm SA, respectively. The reference arm RA reflects the reference light L1 to generate a first reflected light R1. The sensing arm SA directs the sensing light L2 to the eye (EYE) and receives the second reflected light R2 from the eye. The sensing module SE receives the first reflected light R1 and the second reflected light R2 respectively, and generates a sensing result based on the first reflected light R1 and the second reflected light R2. After analysis, the relative positions of various interfaces of the eye, such as the relative positions of the retina and the cornea, are obtained.

[0003] like Figure 2A As shown, the traditional light source module LS can be a complete ring-shaped light source CRL placed in front of the camera lens CM, which can emit a complete ring of light to the eye EYE. Therefore, the camera lens CM receives the reflected light from the eye EYE and takes a picture like... Figure 2B The complete ring-shaped image IM1 is shown.

[0004] When a conventional optical coherence interferometric biometer 1 measures interfaces at different depths within the eye, if the optical path lengths of the sensing arms SA are all equal, the reference arm RA needs to have a larger optical path length modulation range to simultaneously cover the different optical path lengths required by the anterior chamber and fundus of the eye. Furthermore, the reference arm RA also needs to be able to quickly switch between different optical path lengths. However, the design of the reference arm RA used in the conventional optical coherence interferometric biometer 1 cannot meet the above requirements and needs further improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention proposes an optical biometer to solve the above-mentioned problems encountered by the prior art.

[0006] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, an optical biometer is provided. In this embodiment, the optical biometer includes a light source module, a beam splitting module, a reference arm, a sensing arm, and a sensing module. The light source module emits incident light. The beam splitting module is configured corresponding to the light source module and is used to split the incident light into reference light and sensing light. The reference arm is configured corresponding to the beam splitting module and is used to generate a first reflected light based on the reference light. The sensing arm is configured corresponding to the beam splitting module and is used to direct the sensing light to the eye and receive a second reflected light from the eye. In a first mode, the sensing light is directed to a first position of the eye, and in a second mode, the sensing light is directed to a second position of the eye. The sensing module receives the first reflected light and the second reflected light respectively and generates a sensing result based on the first reflected light and the second reflected light. The incident light emitted by the light source module is partially annular light, and the sensing result includes a partially annular image related to the eye.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first position of the eye is the retina and the first mode is the retinal mode.

[0008] In one embodiment, the second location of the eye is the cornea and the second mode is the corneal mode.

[0009] In one embodiment, the reference arm includes a movable module, and when the movable module moves, the optical path of the first reflected light generated by the reference light being incident on and reflected by the movable module changes accordingly.

[0010] In one embodiment, the beam splitter module is replaced by a switchable module.

[0011] In one embodiment, the light source module includes a partial ring-shaped light source disposed in front of the camera lens.

[0012] In one embodiment, the light source module includes a plurality of first light-emitting units and a plurality of second light-emitting units. The plurality of first light-emitting units are coupled to a ring-shaped light panel to emit partial ring-shaped light. The plurality of second light-emitting units are disposed in the outer region and shared with other functional optical modules, and their light emission is reflected to an equivalent position through a mirror.

[0013] In one embodiment, the light source module includes a ring-shaped light source, a lens module, a ring-shaped reflective surface, and a conical reflector. The conical reflector is disposed on the ring-shaped reflective surface, and the lens module is disposed between the ring-shaped light source and the conical reflector. The ring-shaped light emitted by the ring-shaped light source passes through the lens module and is reflected by the conical reflector to emit incident light.

[0014] In one embodiment, the optical biometer is an optical coherence tomography (OCT) biometer and operates in the spectral domain.

[0015] In one embodiment, the reference arm includes a movable reflector, a fixed reflector, and a baffle. When the baffle operates in a first state, the reference light is incident only on the fixed reflector; when the baffle operates in a second state, the reference light is incident only on the movable reflector; and when the baffle operates in a third state, the reference light is incident on both the fixed and movable reflectors.

[0016] In one embodiment, in a first state, the baffle is moved to a first position corresponding to the movable reflector; in a second state, the baffle is moved to a second position corresponding to the fixed reflector; and in a third state, the baffle is moved to a third position different from the first and second positions.

[0017] Compared to existing technologies, the optical biometer proposed in this invention can accurately measure interfaces at different depths within the eye, provide a wider range of optical path modulation, and can simultaneously and rapidly switch between different optical paths.

[0018] The advantages and spirit of the present invention can be further understood through the following detailed embodiments and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings of this invention are described below:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a typical optical coherence tomography (OCT) biometer.

[0021] Figure 2A and Figure 2B These are schematic diagrams of a complete ring-shaped light source in the prior art, positioned in front of a camera lens, and a complete ring-shaped image captured by the camera lens.

[0022] Figure 3A and Figure 3B These are schematic diagrams showing a partial ring-shaped light source disposed in front of a camera lens and a partial ring-shaped image captured by the camera lens in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 These are the front and side views of a ring-shaped light source in front of the camera lens.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a light source module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a reference arm in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figures 7A to 7C These are schematic diagrams showing the baffle of the reference arm operating in a first state to a third state, respectively, in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Explanation of key component symbols:

[0028] 1…Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Biometer

[0029] LS… Light Source Module

[0030] SP…Spectrometer

[0031] RA…Reference Arm

[0032] SA…sensing arm

[0033] SE…sensing module

[0034] LIN…incident light

[0035] L1…reference light

[0036] L2…sensing light

[0037] RA…Reference Arm

[0038] SA…sensing arm

[0039] EYE…eyes

[0040] R1…First reflected light

[0041] R2…Second reflected light

[0042] CM…camera lens

[0043] CRL…Complete Ring Light Source

[0044] IM1…Complete Ring Image

[0045] PRL…partial ring light source

[0046] IM2…partial ring image

[0047] RB… Circular light panel

[0048] OA…outer region

[0049] LU1…First Light-Emitting Unit

[0050] LU2…Second Light-Emitting Unit

[0051] LEN…lens module

[0052] COR…conical reflector

[0053] RRS… Annular Reflector

[0054] FR… Fixed reflector

[0055] MR…Movable Reflector

[0056] MS…Mechanical shutter

[0057] COL...collimator

[0058] BA...Baffle Detailed Implementation

[0059] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Elements / components referred to by the same or similar reference numerals in the drawings and embodiments are used to represent the same or similar parts.

[0060] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, there is an optical biometer. In this embodiment, the optical biometer may be an optical coherence tomography (OCT) biometer and may operate in the spectral domain, but is not limited thereto.

[0061] Please also refer to Figure 1 The optical coherence tomography (OCT) biometer 1 of the present invention also includes a light source module LS, a beam splitting module SP, a reference arm RA, a sensing arm SA, and a sensing module SE. The incident light LIN emitted by the light source module LS is split into a reference light L1 and a sensing light L2 by the beam splitting module SP, and then transmitted to the reference arm RA and the sensing arm SA, respectively. The reference arm RA reflects the reference light L1 to generate a first reflected light R1. The sensing arm SA directs the sensing light L2 to the eye EYE and receives the second reflected light R2 from the eye EYE. The sensing module SE receives the first reflected light R1 and the second reflected light R2 respectively, generates a sensing result based on the first reflected light R1 and the second reflected light R2, and obtains the relative positions of the various interfaces of the eye after analysis.

[0062] It should be noted that in the first mode, the sensing light L2 is incident on the first position of the eye (EYE), and in the second mode, the sensing light L2 is incident on the second position of the eye (EYE). The incident light LIN emitted by the light source module LS is a partially ring-shaped light, and the sensing result includes a partially ring-shaped image related to the eye (EYE). In fact, the first position of the eye (EYE) can be the retina (and the first mode is the retina mode), and the second position of the eye (EYE) can be the cornea (and the second mode is the cornea mode), but this is not a limitation.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B , Figure 3A and Figure 3B The diagrams show a ring-shaped light source module positioned in front of a camera lens and a ring-shaped image captured by the camera lens. This differs from existing technologies. Figure 2A The invention employs a complete ring-shaped light source (CRL) in front of the camera lens (CM) to emit a complete ring of light to the eye (EYE). Figure 3AIn this invention, a partially ring-shaped light source (PRL) is used in front of the camera lens (CM) to emit partially ring-shaped light to the eye (EYE). Therefore, this invention can obtain a partially ring-shaped image IM2 related to the eye (e.g., IM2) by receiving the reflected light from the eye (EYE) through the camera lens (CM). Figure 3B As shown), this is significantly different from existing technologies where the camera lens CM receives reflected light from the eye's eye to obtain a complete ring-shaped image IM1 related to the eye's eye (as shown). Figure 2B (As shown).

[0064] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 These are the front and side views of a ring-shaped light source in front of the camera lens. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the light source module LS includes multiple first light-emitting units LU1 and multiple second light-emitting units LU2. The multiple first light-emitting units LU1 are coupled to the annular light panel RB to emit partial annular light. The multiple second light-emitting units LU2 are located in the outer region OA and can be shared with other functional optical modules; their light emission can be reflected to an equivalent position via a mirror. In practice, the actual placement of the multiple second light-emitting units LU2 can also be designed behind the annular light panel RB or after multiple reflections, depending on their shared use with other functional optical modules.

[0065] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a light source module according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, the light source module LS includes a ring-shaped light source CRL, a lens module LEN, a ring-shaped reflector RRS, and a conical reflector COR. The conical reflector COR is disposed on the ring-shaped reflector RRS, and the lens module LEN is disposed between the ring-shaped light source CRL and the conical reflector COR. The ring-shaped light emitted by the ring-shaped light source CRL is reflected by the conical reflector COR disposed on the ring-shaped reflector RRS after passing through the lens module LEN, thus emitting incident light LIN.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a reference arm according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, the reference arm RA includes a collimator COL, a beam splitter SP, a mechanical shutter MS, a movable mirror MR, and a fixed mirror FR. In the second mode (corneal mode), when the movable mirror MR moves, the optical path of the first reflected light R1 generated by the reference light L1 hitting the movable mirror MR and being reflected by the movable mirror MR will also change accordingly. In practical applications, Figure 6 The splitter module SP in the image can be replaced by a switchable module.

[0067] Please refer to Figures 7A to 7C , Figures 7A to 7CThese are schematic diagrams showing the baffle of the reference arm operating in a first state to a third state, respectively, in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] In this embodiment, the optical coherence tomography (OCT) biometer operates in the spectral domain, and its reference arm RA includes a movable mirror MR, a fixed mirror FR, a beam splitter SP, and a baffle BA. The baffle BA can operate in the spectral domain. Figures 7A to 7C The first to third states are shown.

[0069] like Figure 7A As shown, when the baffle BA operates in the first state, the baffle BA moves to the first position corresponding to the space between the movable mirror MR and the beam splitter SP. At this time, the baffle BA can block the reference light L1 emitted by the beam splitter SP towards the movable mirror MR, so that the reference light L1 can only be emitted towards the fixed mirror FR. In fact, with proper design, the first state of the baffle BA can be used to search for corneal signals. Under normal operating conditions, the corneal signal can be located in the first 1 / 4 to 1 / 3 region of the scan line.

[0070] like Figure 7B As shown, when the baffle BA operates in the second state, it moves to a second position corresponding to the space between the fixed mirror FR and the beam splitter SP. In this state, the baffle BA blocks the reference light L1 emitted by the beam splitter SP towards the fixed mirror FR, ensuring that the reference light L1 can only reach the movable mirror MR. In practice, with proper design, the second state of the baffle BA can be used to search for signals from other interfaces under test, such as signals from the anterior / posterior surfaces of the lens or retinal signals. After finding signals from other interfaces under test during the search, the movable mirror positions these signals in the latter 1 / 2 to 2 / 3 of the scan line.

[0071] like Figure 7C As shown, when the baffle BA operates in the third state, the baffle BA moves to the third position, which is different from the first and second positions. Since the baffle BA is not located in the first position corresponding to the movable mirror MR and the beam splitter SP, nor in the second position corresponding to the fixed mirror FR and the beam splitter SP, the baffle BA does not block the reference light L1 emitted by the beam splitter SP towards the movable mirror MR and the fixed mirror FR. Therefore, the reference light L1 can be emitted towards both the fixed mirror FR and the movable mirror MR at the same time.

[0072] In fact, in the third state of the baffle BA, since the corneal signal and the other interface signal to be measured (such as the retinal signal) are located in the front and middle-back regions of the scan line respectively, they will not interfere with each other. Therefore, the reference light L1 can be transmitted to the fixed mirror FR and the movable mirror MR at the same time, so that the two interface signals to be measured can be measured simultaneously and the distance between the two interfaces to be measured can be accurately measured.

[0073] It should be noted that, Figures 7A to 7C The advantage of this operating method is that there is no time difference in the distance between the two interfaces being measured, thus effectively improving the measurement accuracy.

[0074] Compared to existing technologies, the optical biometer proposed in this invention can accurately measure interfaces at different depths within the eye, provide a wider range of optical path modulation, and can simultaneously and rapidly switch between different optical paths.

[0075] The embodiments described above are only for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, various simple modifications and alterations made by those skilled in the art based on the scope of the patent application and the description of the invention should still be included within the scope of protection claimed in the patent application documents.

Claims

1. An optical biometer, characterized in that, The optical biometer is an optical coherence tomography biometer that operates in the spectral domain, including: A light source module for emitting an incident light; A beam splitting module, corresponding to the light source module, is used to split the incident light into a reference light and a sensing light; A reference arm, configured corresponding to the beam splitter module, is used to generate a first reflected light based on the reference light; A sensing arm, configured corresponding to the beam splitter module, is used to direct the sensing light to an eye and receive a second reflected light from the eye, wherein in a first mode, the sensing light is directed to a first position of the eye, and in a second mode, the sensing light is directed to a second position of the eye; and A sensing module is used to receive the first reflected light and the second reflected light respectively and generate a sensing result based on the first reflected light and the second reflected light; The incident light emitted by the light source module is partially ring-shaped light, and the sensing result includes a partially ring-shaped image related to the eye. The reference arm includes a movable reflector, a fixed reflector, and a baffle. When the baffle is in a first state, the reference light is only directed to the fixed reflector. When the baffle is in a second state, the reference light is only directed to the movable reflector. When the baffle is in a third state, the reference light is directed to both the fixed reflector and the movable reflector.

2. The optical biometer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first position of the eye is the retina, and the first pattern is the retinal pattern.

3. The optical biometer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second position of the eye is the cornea and the second pattern is the corneal pattern.

4. The optical biometer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The reference arm includes a movable module. When the movable module moves, the optical path of the first reflected light generated by the reference light being incident on the movable module and reflected by the movable module changes accordingly.

5. The optical biometer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The beam splitter module was replaced by a switchable module.

6. The optical biometer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The light source module includes a ring-shaped light source positioned in front of the camera lens.

7. The optical biometer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The light source module includes: Multiple first light-emitting units are coupled to a ring-shaped light panel to emit the ring-shaped light; and Multiple second light-emitting units are located in an outer region and shared with other functional optical modules. Their light emission is reflected to an equivalent position through a mirror.

8. The optical biometer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The light source module includes a ring-shaped light source, a lens module, a ring-shaped reflective surface, and a conical reflector. The conical reflector is disposed on the ring-shaped reflective surface, and the lens module is disposed between the ring-shaped light source and the conical reflector. The ring-shaped light emitted by the ring-shaped light source passes through the lens module and is reflected by the conical reflector to emit the incident light.

9. The optical biometer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the first state, the baffle moves to a first position corresponding to the movable reflector; in the second state, the baffle moves to a second position corresponding to the fixed reflector; and in the third state, the baffle moves to a third position different from the first and second positions.

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