Vision testing system

Abstract

This system allows for the simple and accurate measurement of a user's visual acuity using a mobile device such as a smartphone. [Solution] The vision test system includes a display unit 21 that displays a diagram 26 for vision testing, a measurement unit that measures the distance to the user's face, an input unit 27 in which the user views the diagram and inputs the viewing result, and a correction unit that corrects the correctness of the viewing result and the diagram based on the distance measured by the measurement unit. With this vision test system, in conventional vision tests using portable terminals, errors in the measurement result could occur due to fluctuations in the distance when the user holds the terminal in their hand, but in the present invention, by providing a distance measurement function and a correction function, this error can be minimized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for performing a vision test, and particularly relates to a vision test system using a smartphone.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, vision tests are generally performed using a vision test chart or a dedicated measuring device at medical institutions or testing facilities. Although using a vision test chart is convenient, a certain distance is required, and the environment is likely to be restricted. Also, when it is necessary to regularly check vision, it may be burdensome for people living in remote areas or busy people to visit a testing facility.

[0003] With the spread of mobile terminals, in recent years, applications and systems for easily measuring vision using a smartphone have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of displaying an image for a vision test on the display of a mobile terminal and having a user operate a cursor control unit to perform the test. With this system, vision tests can be easily performed even at home or outside.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, conventional mobile device-based vision testing systems lack constraints on the distance at which the user views the images, potentially leading to errors in the test results. Specifically, if the user holds the device at an inaccurate distance, the apparent size of the images changes relatively, resulting in errors in the vision measurement. Therefore, conventional systems do not perform corrections based on the distance between the user and the device, making accurate vision measurement difficult.

[0006] Furthermore, in order to improve the accuracy of vision tests, there is a need for technology that detects and corrects the user's position and distance during measurement, but conventional mobile device systems have not had such correction functions.

[0007] To address the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a system that allows for accurate and easy visual acuity measurement by displaying images for visual acuity testing using a portable communication terminal such as a smartphone, while measuring and correcting the distance between the user and the portable communication terminal.

[0008] (1) The visual acuity testing system according to the present invention includes a display unit that displays an image for visual acuity testing, a measurement unit that measures the distance to the user's face, an input unit in which the user visually views the image and inputs the viewing result, and a correction unit that corrects the correctness of the viewing result and the image based on the distance measured by the measurement unit.

[0009] According to this vision testing system, conventional vision tests using portable devices could result in errors in measurement results due to fluctuations in the distance the user holds the device. However, this invention minimizes these errors by incorporating distance measurement and correction functions.

[0010] Furthermore, by displaying Landolt rings as the diagram 26 for vision testing, and having the user input the direction of the open ring in the input section, the test can be performed in the same way as conventional vision tests. In addition, by using laser measurement in the measurement section, the user's position can be accurately determined, improving the accuracy of the measurement results. Moreover, by using a smartphone as a portable communication terminal, vision testing can be performed more easily and anywhere. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to easily and accurately measure a user's visual acuity using a mobile device such as a smartphone. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the use of a visual acuity testing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram of a portable communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a front view showing the display unit of a portable communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The following describes an embodiment of the vision testing system S of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The vision testing system S allows for the performance of a distance vision test on user 1. In this embodiment of the present invention, the vision testing system S is configured as an application for a portable communication terminal 2, such as a smartphone.

[0014] <Use of Vision Testing System S> As shown in Figure 1, a user 1 using the visual acuity testing system S of the present invention holds a portable communication terminal 2 in their hand and views the visual acuity test images displayed on the display unit 21 of the portable communication terminal 2 from a certain distance. When the user 1 views the portable communication terminal 2, they extend their arm slightly to maintain an appropriate distance while checking the images. Depending on the visual acuity testing method, the images displayed may include Landolt rings, E-charts, Snellen targets, etc. In this embodiment, a visual acuity test using Landolt rings 26 is exemplified as the image 26.

[0015] The measurement unit 22 of this system constantly measures the distance between the portable communication terminal 2 and the user's face 1, and transmits this information to the correction unit 24 in real time. This distance data is used for correction according to the apparent size of the displayed image, so the accuracy of the visual acuity test results is ensured even if the user's handhold distance changes.

[0016] <Configuration of the Vision Testing System S> As shown in Figure 2, the vision test system S is implemented by a portable communication terminal 2 and includes a display unit 21 that displays images for vision testing, a measurement unit 22 that measures the distance to the user's face 1, an input unit 23 in which the user 1 views the images and inputs the viewing result, a correction unit 24 that corrects the correctness of the viewing result and the image based on the distance measured by the measurement unit 22, and a control unit 25 that controls the operation of an application that makes the portable communication terminal 2 function as the vision test system S.

[0017] The display unit 21 shows the Landolt rings 26 as shown in Figure 3, and buttons 27 for the user 1 to input the direction in which the Landolt rings 26 are spaced apart.

[0018] The measuring unit 22 measures the distance between the user 1's face and the display unit 21 of the portable communication terminal 2. Specifically, the measuring unit 22 measures the distance between the user 1's face and the portable communication terminal 2, which is equipped with a distance sensor using a camera 28.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the input unit 23 is implemented as a touch screen of the portable communication terminal 2 and is used when the user 1 inputs the visual recognition result of the image. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, by selecting the empty direction of the Landolt ring 26 from the button 27 which is the input unit 23, the user 1 can convey the visual recognition result to the system.

[0020] Based on the distance data acquired from the measurement unit 22, the correction unit 24 corrects the visual recognition result of the user 1 and the correct / incorrect determination of the image. Thereby, accurate visual acuity measurement with the error due to the distance variation of the user 1 minimized becomes possible.

[0021] The correction unit 24 sets a correction coefficient according to the distance and appropriately corrects the visual acuity test result based on the distance between the user 1's face. That is, in a state where one Landolt ring 26 is displayed, the distance at which the distance between the user 1 and the portable communication terminal 2 is minimized is regarded as the distance at which the Landolt ring 26 is visually recognized, and the test result is determined in association with the correctness / incorrectness of the input result of the user 1.

[0022] <Operation of the visual acuity test system S> In the visual acuity test system S, the user 1 holds the portable communication terminal 2 in hand and visually recognizes an image such as the Landolt ring 26 displayed on the display unit 21. The user 1 confirms the empty direction of the image and selects that direction by the input unit 23 of the portable communication terminal 2. The measurement unit 22 measures the distance from the user 1's face each time of the test, and the correction unit 24 determines the correctness / incorrectness of the visual recognition result based on that distance information.

[0023] With the visual acuity test system S according to the present embodiment, the user 1 can easily perform a visual acuity test using the portable communication terminal 2. Also, due to the distance measurement function and the correction function, the measurement error due to distance variation is suppressed, and a visual acuity test result with higher accuracy than the conventional system can be obtained.

[0024] In the present embodiment, the form in which the portable communication terminal 2 is realized by a smartphone has been described. However, it may be a tablet or other small communication device.

[0025] In this embodiment, the display unit 21 and the input unit 23 have been described as being implemented on a smartphone touchscreen. However, the display unit 21 and the input unit 23 may be implemented from separate configurations. For example, the display unit 21 may be a conventional display, and the input unit 23 may be a physical button 27.

[0026] In this embodiment, the measurement unit 22 was described as being implemented by a camera 28 built into a smartphone. However, the measurement unit 22 may also be implemented by a laser light irradiation device.

[0027] The visual acuity testing system S according to this embodiment has been described above. However, the visual acuity testing system S is not limited to the above embodiment, and other configurations are possible as long as the objective of the invention is achieved. [Industrial applicability]

[0028] This invention can be used for vision testing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] S Vision Testing System 1 user 2. Portable communication terminals 21 Display section 22 Measuring part 23 Input section 24 Correction section 25 Control Unit 26 Iconography 27 buttons 28 Cameras

Claims

[Claim 1] A display unit that shows images for vision testing, A measuring unit that measures the distance to the user's face, An input unit in which the user visually views the aforementioned image and inputs the result of the visual viewing, A visual acuity testing system, comprising a correction unit that corrects the correctness of the visual recognition result and the image based on the distance measured by the measuring unit.

Images