visual field testing device

Abstract

To provide a visual field inspection device which can reduce a burden on a user resulting from a visual field inspection and perform a more accurate visual field inspection.SOLUTION: A visual field inspection device 1 comprises: a display 13 which displays a visual target; a sight line detection unit 25 which detects the sight line of a user to output sight line information about a direction of the sight line; a visual recognition determination unit 40 which determines whether or not the user visually recognizes the visual target on the basis of position information of the visual target and the sight line information; and a visual field inspection unit 60 which inspects a visual field range on the basis of the output of the visual recognition determination unit 40 by sequentially displaying the visual target at a prescribed position on the display 13. The visual field inspection unit 60 includes a visual recognition detection feedback part 65 which performs feedback processing of notifying the user of the fact that it is detected that the user visually recognizes the visual target for the prescribed time when it is detected that the user visually recognizes the visual target currently displayed on the display 13 by the output of the visual recognition determination unit 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a visual field testing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Visual field testing devices for testing the visual field have been provided in the past, and are disclosed, for example, in the following Patent Document 1. In the visual field testing device disclosed in the following Patent Document 1, the user uses an input device such as a button to input whether or not they recognize a visual target by looking at it with their eyes.

[0003] However, some users may fail to input data because they are not familiar with operating the input device or are unable to operate the input device properly due to nervousness or other reasons, which may result in an inaccurate visual field test.

[0004] In response to this, Patent Document 2 listed below discloses a visual field testing device that automatically detects the line of sight, which is the direction in which a user is looking, using a line of sight detection device, and automatically determines whether the user is viewing a visual target. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] WO2017-022757 publication [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-161122 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Here, a visual field test usually takes more than 10 minutes, and if the visual recognition assessment is performed automatically, as in the visual field testing device disclosed in Patent Document 2, the user, who is the test subject, needs to constantly gaze at the visual targets that are displayed sequentially on the display during that time.

[0007] This puts users in a state of tension throughout the visual field test, placing a great burden on the test. As a result, elderly people and children who have difficulty concentrating for long periods of time may stop gazing for the required time, making it impossible to perform an accurate test.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a visual field testing device that reduces the burden on the user associated with visual field testing and enables more accurate visual field testing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the visual field testing device of the present invention is a visual field testing device that tests the visual field range of a user, and comprises: a display for displaying optotypes; a gaze detection unit that detects the user's gaze and outputs gaze information related to the direction of the gaze; a visibility determination unit that determines whether the user is viewing the optotype based on the position information of the optotype and the gaze information; and a visual field testing unit that sequentially displays the optotypes at predetermined positions on the display and tests the visual field range based on the output of the visibility determination unit, and is characterized in that the visual field testing unit comprises a visibility detection feedback unit that, when it detects from the output of the visibility determination unit that the user is viewing the optotype currently displayed on the display, performs feedback processing to notify the user of the detection for a predetermined period of time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, by providing feedback on the user's detection of visual target recognition, the user is relieved from a state of tension even for a short period of time, allowing the user to focus more intently on the visual target, thereby enabling a more accurate visual field test. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an optotype testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the visual recognition detection feedback process according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the visual recognition detection feedback process according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the visual recognition detection feedback process according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, a visual field testing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is characterized in that when a user, who is a test subject, actually looks at and visually recognizes optotypes that are sequentially displayed on a display 13 during a visual field test, the device notifies the user by providing feedback that the device has detected the visual recognition.

[0013] The visual field testing device 1 includes a head-mounted display (HMD) 10 and a control device 20, which is a computer connected to the HMD 10 via a communication cable. The HMD 10 is a device worn on the user's head during visual field testing, and includes a display 13 that displays visual targets, a camera 15 that photographs the user's eyes, and the like.

[0014] The HMD 10 has a gaze detection function that cooperates with a gaze detection unit 25 (described later) to automatically detect the gaze, which is the direction in which the eyes of the user wearing the HMD 10 are looking. The displays 13 and cameras 15 are installed for the right and left eyes, respectively.

[0015] The control device 20 includes an arithmetic device 70 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for performing various calculations, and a storage device 75 such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) for storing various information and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area for calculation processing.

[0016] The storage device 75 includes a gaze log storage unit 76 that sequentially records gaze information detected by the gaze detection unit 25 described later, and an eye target storage unit 77 that records eye target information related to the eye targets to be displayed on the display 13.

[0017] In addition, the control device 20 functionally comprises a gaze detection unit 25, a visual target display unit 30, a visual recognition judgment unit 40, a perception (visibility) judgment unit 50, and a visual field testing unit 60, and these functions are realized by the calculation device 70 executing a predetermined program stored in the memory device 75.

[0018] The gaze detection unit 25 detects the direction in which the user is looking, i.e., the gaze, based on the captured image of the user's eyes output from the camera 15. Specifically, the gaze detection unit 25 outputs two deviation angles (θ, φ) in polar coordinates (spherical coordinates) as gaze information (gaze angle) that indicates the gaze direction. This gaze detection is performed independently for the right eye and the left eye.

[0019] Based on the optotype information recorded in the optotype memory unit 77, the optotype display unit 30 displays white optotypes of a predetermined size at predetermined coordinate positions on the display 13 in sequence with a predetermined sensitivity (brightness).

[0020] The visual recognition determination unit 40 determines whether or not the user is actually looking at and recognizing the visual target based on the visual line detected by the visual line detection unit 25 and the coordinates of the visual target displayed on the display 13. Specifically, the visual recognition determination is performed based on whether or not an extension of the visual line detected by the visual line detection unit 25 physically collides with the target visual target on a predetermined coordinate system. In this embodiment, the visual line angle detected by the visual line detection unit 25 is compared with the visual target angle representing the position of the target visual line, and if the angle difference is within 2°, it is determined that there is a collision and that the user has recognized the visual target.

[0021] The visual recognition determination unit 40 may perform visual recognition determination using a logical determination method based on the gaze information log. For example, the visual recognition determination unit 40 may be configured to perform a logical visual recognition determination when the gaze approaches a target visual target and continues to be located near the target visual target.

[0022] The perception determination unit 50 determines whether a visual target located at a distance from the user's gaze position is visible to the user, i.e., whether the user perceives it. For example, after the visual target is displayed on the display 13, the perception determination unit 50 performs a perception determination at the time the visual target is displayed, based on the trajectory and arrival time of the gaze from the gaze position at the time the visual target is displayed to the visual target (visual recognition).

[0023] The visual field testing unit 60 controls the line of sight detection unit 25, the optotype display unit 30, the visual recognition determination unit 40, and the perception determination unit 50 to perform the visual field test. The visual field testing unit 60 includes a visual recognition detection feedback unit 65 that, when it detects from the output of the visual recognition determination unit 40 that the user has recognized the optotype displayed on the display 13 during the visual field test, notifies the user that the recognition has been detected.

[0024] The visual recognition detection feedback unit 65 controls the visual target display unit 30 to change the color of the visual target displayed on the display 13 from the standard white to another color, thereby notifying the user of visual recognition detection.

[0025] In this embodiment, the visual recognition detection feedback unit 65 performs feedback processing by changing the color of the visual target to green for 300 ms 500 ms after visual recognition detection. Upon completion of the feedback processing, the visually recognized visual target is erased in green, and the next visual target is immediately displayed in standard white on the display 13.

[0026] FIG. 2(a) shows a state in which the optotype is displayed in standard white on the display 13, and FIG. 2(b) shows a state in which the optotype is displayed in green on the display 13.

[0027] Of course, it is possible to appropriately change the number of seconds after visual recognition detection when the feedback process is performed, the duration of the feedback process, the timing of erasing the visually recognized target, the timing of displaying the next target, etc. The duration of the feedback process is preferably between 200 and 800 ms to ensure that the user has enough time to notice the change and to prevent the visual field test from taking too long.

[0028] Furthermore, the color to which the visual target is changed for feedback processing is not limited to green, and other colors such as blue or red can be used as appropriate as long as the color makes it easy for the user to recognize that the color has changed.

[0029] In a visual field test, the subject, or user, is instructed to keep their eyes fixed on the visual target displayed on the display 13. This causes tension during the test, and if their concentration is broken during the test, they may not be able to continue tracking the visual target, which may result in a decrease in the accuracy of the test.

[0030] In contrast, in this embodiment, the visual field testing device 1 provides feedback to the user to let them know that it has detected that the user has seen the target, so the user is relieved of tension, albeit only for a very short time until the next target is displayed, making it much easier for them to maintain concentration for the test, thereby further improving the accuracy of the test.

[0031] Furthermore, the change in the color of the target is easily noticeable by a user who continues to look at the target, and no additional components are required, so it can be easily implemented by modifying the program, producing significant effects.

[0032] The above describes the visual field testing device 1 of this embodiment. According to this embodiment, the visual field testing device 1 provides feedback to the user to inform them that it has detected that the user is viewing the target, thereby enabling visual field testing to be performed with higher accuracy.

[0033] Next, a description will be given of a modified example of the visual detection feedback process to the user by the visual detection feedback unit 65. In the above embodiment, feedback is provided by changing the color of the visual target displayed on the display 13 for a predetermined period of time, but feedback may also be provided by changing the shape of the visual target, or by changing both the color and shape of the visual target in combination.

[0034] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an example of a change in the shape of the optotype for feedback. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the optotype is displayed in a standard circular shape on the display 13, and FIG. 3B shows a state in which the optotype is displayed in the shape of a star on the display 13. In this way, the standard circular optotype may be changed to the shape of a star only during feedback for a predetermined period of time. Of course, the shape may be changed to any other shape, such as a polygon such as a square, as appropriate, and feedback may be provided.

[0035] In addition, as a method of visually feeding back visual detection, it is possible to not only change the color or shape of the visual target, but also to change the background color of the display 13 or to display a mark or text indicating detection in a specified location on the display 13.

[0036] Furthermore, the method of providing feedback on visual detection is not limited to visual notification, but may also be other sensory methods such as touch or hearing. When providing feedback to the user by touch, a small vibrator may be installed in the HMD 10 and vibrated during the feedback period of a predetermined time (e.g., 300 ms).

[0037] 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the HMD 10 when providing tactile feedback to the user. As shown in the figure, by installing small vibrators 18 inside both sides of the housing 11 of the HMD 10, feedback can be provided to the user without changing the state in which the HMD 10 is worn.

[0038] In addition, when providing auditory feedback, the visual detection can be notified to the user by sounding a notification sound from a speaker (not shown) of the visual field testing device 1. Of course, feedback processing may be performed by combining visual, tactile, auditory, and other feedback.

[0039] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, although a head-mounted HMD is used as a display, a freestanding or wall-mounted ordinary LCD monitor may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1. Visual field testing device 10 HMD 11. Housing 13. Display 15 Camera 18 oscillators 20 Control device 25 Gaze detection unit 30 Visual target display section 40 Visibility determination section 50 Perception Judgment Section 60 Visual Field Testing Section 65 Vision detection feedback unit 70 Arithmetic unit 75 Storage device 76 Gaze log memory unit 77 Visual target storage unit

Claims

1. A visual field testing device for testing a user's visual field range, a display for displaying the visual target; a gaze detection unit that detects the user's gaze and outputs gaze information relating to the direction of the gaze; a visual recognition determination unit that determines whether the user is visually recognizing the visual target based on the position information of the visual target and the line of sight information; a visual field testing unit that sequentially displays the optotypes at predetermined positions on the display and tests the visual field range based on the output of the visibility determination unit, The visual field testing device is characterized in that the visual field testing unit is equipped with a visual detection feedback unit that, when it detects from the output of the visual recognition determination unit that the user is viewing the visual target currently displayed on the display, performs feedback processing to notify the user of the detection for a predetermined period of time.

2. 2. The visual field testing device according to claim 1, wherein the visual recognition detection feedback unit changes the color of the visually recognized target currently displayed on the display as the feedback process.

3. 3. The visual field testing device according to claim 1, wherein the visual recognition detection feedback unit changes the shape of the visually recognized target currently displayed on the display as the feedback process.

4. 4. The visual field testing device according to claim 1, wherein the visual field testing unit erases the visually recognized target upon completion of the feedback process, and then displays the next target on the display.

5. 5. The visual field testing device according to claim 1, wherein the feedback processing time is between 200 and 800 ms.

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